Olyroos face first Olympics challenge

Olyroos coach Graham Arnold doesn't need any reminders about the enormity of the task facing his players ahead of their Olympic opener against Serbia on Thursday night.

And while a clash with gold medal favourites Argentina looms on Sunday, Australia's first priority is to stop the Europeans at Shanghai Stadium.

"You only have to look at the players in the Serbian and Argentinian teams to know that we have a significant challenge ahead of us," Arnold said.

"We're facing teams that have players from clubs like Barcelona, Real Madrid, Liverpool, Lazio and Sevilla and we have a side that is full of A-League players.

"The difference on paper is obvious."

Australian midfielder David Carney said it was important for his team to have a good start to the tournament against Serbia.
"I feel a little bit nervous, it's a massive game," Carney said.

"Serbia is a team we have to beat. We have to win the first game."

Yahoo!7 Olympics will provide the most comprehensive online coverage of the match, including complete live match results, video and photos.

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