Hosts prove their mettle

Ten men lead
Hosts Greece, whose female counterparts had already lost the opening game of the women's event, seemed to be suffering the same fate in Thessaloniki against the Korean Republic. The Asian side had Chi-Gon Kim sent off for a second bookable offence just 15 minutes in, but it was then went ahead just before the break thanks to a powerful shot from Dong-Jin Kim.

Greek response
The lead doubled 25 minutes from the end after a Loukas Vyntra own goal, but Greece, who started with UEFA EURO 2004™ winner Dimitrios Papadopoulos, kept their nerve and pulled one back on 77 minutes through Giannis Taralidis's powerful shot. Five minutes later, Won-Kown Choi brought down Nikolaos Mitrou in the box and Papadopoulos levelled the scores from the spot.

Mexico draw
Korean goalkeeper Young-Kwang Kim made a fine save from Miltiadis Sapanis to keep the scores level in added time, but Greece were happy with their comeback. Elsewhere in Group A, Mali, who Greece play on Saturday, drew 0-0 with Mexico, the next Korean opponents.

Argentina in form
In Group C, Serbia and Montenegro - at the Olympics thanks to their superb run to the UEFA European Under-21 Championship final - found hotly-tipped Argentina too hot to handle as Marcelo Bielsa's side ran out 6-0 winners. The European side, without many of ther U21 regulars due to club commitments, were hit with some slick finishing and high-quality football.

Early goals
César Delgado gave Argentina a 12th-minute lead and five minutes later FC Internazionale's Kily González added a second. Serbia and Montenegro rallied but Germán Lux in the Argentina goal and Valencia CF central defender Roberto Ayala were in superb form.

Tévez strikes
But any hopes of a comeback went when Carlos Tévez struck on 42 and 43 minutes to virtually settle the game. On 73 minutes new Manchester United FC signing Gabriel Heinze increased Argentina's lead and four minutes later Mauro Rosales completed the scoring for a side hoping to win this tournament for the first time.

Aloisi on target
Meanwhile, Australia drew 1-1 with Tunisia. CA Osasuna player John Aloisi's goal was cancelled out by Tunisia's Ali Zitouni 21 minutes from the end. Serbia and Montenegro take on Australia on Saturday, when Argentina tackle Tunisia.

Thursday openers
Groups B and D kick off on Thursday. In the former group European U21 champions Italy play Ghana and Paraguay face Japan, while in the latter pool Portugal take on Iraq and Costa Rica meet Morocco.