Significant setbacks for European duo

Greece and Serbia and Motenegro both suffered defeats in the men's football tournament at the Olympic Games, the hosts losing 2-0 to Mali in their second game in Group A.

Hopes high
Having drawn 2-2 in the opening round of matches on Wednesday, Efstratios Apostolakis' side had high hopes of pressing their claims for a quarter-final place at the Kaftanzoglio stadium in Thessaloniki. 
 
First-half blows
However, Mamadi Berthe put the African side in front in the second minute, and Tenema Ndiaye added a second on the stroke of half-time to leave the Greeks with a mountain to climb and Mali held on in the second 45 minutes to earn three points.

Korean cheer
Elsewhere in the group, Kim Jung-woo's 16th-minute goal proved enough to give the Korean Republic victory against Mexico to leave the Koreans level with Mali on four points. Greece, with one point from their two games, play Mexico as the group concludes on Tuesday, with Korea meeting Mali the same day.

Second defeat
Serbia and Montenegro, the second European side in action today, were outclassed by Australia, losing 5-1 at Pankritio stadium. Having suffered a 6-0 defeat by Argentina on Wednesday, the Serbo-Montenegrins needed a good start but were 1-0 down inside eleven minutes, Everton FC's Tim Cahill opening the scoring.

Aloisi double
CA Osasuna striker John Aloisi added a second one minute into added time at the end of the first period and effectively wrapped up the points with his second and Australia's third three minutes before the hour.

Two for Elrich
Ahmad Elrich added a fourth three minutes later and, although Srdan Radonjic pulled a goal back in the 72nd minute, Elrich ensured Australia had the last word with his second of the match four minutes from time.

Saviola strikes
Argentina were 2-0 winners against Tunisia, Carlos Tevez converting a cross from FC Internazionale's Kily González six minutes before half-time and FC Barcelona forward Javier Saviola sealing the win and the first quarter-final place with 18 minutes left to play.

Sunday action
Tunisia are Serbia and Montenegro's final opponents on Tuesday, with Australia playing Argentina the same day. On Sunday, meanwhile, Italy play Japan and Paraguay come up against Ghana in Group B, while the Group D games pit Portugal against Morocco and Iraq against Costa Rica.