Gilardino goal rescues Italy

European teams are still awaiting their first victory of the Olympic men's football tournament, as Italy produced a fine comeback to draw 2-2 against Ghana while ten-man Portugal conceded a last-minute goal to confirm a 4-2 defeat by Iraq.

Two-goal comeback
In Group B, 2004 UEFA European Under-21 Championship victors Italy had Parma FC striker Alberto Gilardino to thank after he scored the equaliser with seven minutes remaining following excellent work by Simone Del Nero. Ghana had eased into 2-0 lead in Volos, with Emmanuel Pappoe and Juventus FC's Stephen Appiah both scoring before the interval. But the Italians battled back and got a foothold on the game on 49 minutes when Giampiero Pinzi of Udinese Calcio hit a spectacular diagonal shot before Gilardino rescued a point in the closing minutes.

Ono double
Elsewhere in Group B, two goals from Feyenoord's Shinji Ono were not enough for Japan in Thessaloniki as Paraguay took all three points in an entertaining 4-3 win. Italy take on Japan on Sunday, when Ghana tackle Paraguay, with the top two from all four men's groups eventually entering the quarter-finals.

Level-pegging
In Group D, Portugal lost a topsy-turvy game against Iraq despite taking a fortuitous early lead courtesy of a Haidar Jabar own goal on 13 minutes. The Asian side quickly regained parity though, when Emad Mohammed scored three minutes later, before Hawar Mulla Mohammed gave them the lead before the half-hour mark with a header from close range. FC Porto's Bosingwa equalised for Portugal with a powerful long-range effort just prior to half-time.

Memorable victory
Portugal's hopes of victory were dashed five minutes after the interval when Fulham FC's Luis Boa Morte was giving his marching orders after a foul on Bassim Abbas. Younis Mahmoud soon restored Iraq's advantage before substitute Salih Sadir capped a memorable victory in stoppage time.

Goalless draw
In the other match of group D, Costa Rica and Morocco played out a goalless draw. The Moroccan team also played much of the second half with ten men and will face Portugal on Sunday without the suspended Alioui Jamal, sent off tonight. Iraq face Costa Rica in the other game.

Saturday games
After Friday's opening ceremony in Athens, the men's football tournament resumes on Saturday with hosts Greece, who like Italy produced a late comeback to draw 2-2 with the Korean Republic yesterday, facing Group A rivals Mali in Thessaloniki as Korea meet Mexico, whose game with the African side also finished level.

Serbo-Montenegrin hope
Group C contenders Serbia and Montenegro will be looking for their first points against Australia in Heraklio and Argentina, defeated the European U21 runners-up 6-0, play Tunisia. The three women's groups also continue on Saturday.