After a frustrating hosting performance at the Sydney Olympics in 2000, where they lost three times by a single goal, the Australian Olyroos are determined to make their Athens adventure a more positive one despite being drawn in a rugged Group C with Tunisia, Serbia and Montenegro and Argentina.

Their first contest against Tunisia figures to be a 'must-win,' and Aussie boss Frank Farina revealed his ambitions in adding three notable over-age players to his U-23 team.  Forming a solid and experienced spine down the pitch, he has brought in defender and national team captain Craig Moore plus regular Socceroos midfielder Tim Cahill and striker John Aloisi.

The addition of the three senior players led Farina to tell media that there were now "enormous expectations" on the side, particularly heading into the opener with the Eaglets of Carthage.

A good order
A previously shaky defence had the addition of 28-year-old Moore one of Farina's top priorities, despite the fact that the former captain had to virtually quit Scottish giants Rangers after deciding to travel to Greece for Australia's sixth Olympic appearance.

"Having [Moore's] leadership qualities and vast experience is a real boost for the team," Farina related, before adding: "We don't have any superstars, but I believe that if we play well as a unit we'll do well."

The 39-year-old boss, who was an important player for the 1988 quarter-finalist Olyroos, also revealed that facing the North Africans first is an advantage for his dark horse team.

"I don't mind at all that we are playing Tunisia, Serbia and Montenegro and then Argentina in that order," he said.  "In saying that, it is vitally important we get off to a good start against the Africans."

Aloisi added this about the opener: "We don't want to put all the pressure on the first game that we have to win it. It's important that we win, but if we don't, we still have a chance in the final two games. Hopefully we can get the three points in the first game, as that will take a little bit of the pressure off. We're a side that can probably upset anyone, although on paper that looks the easier game of the three and we must take advantage."

Australia's attacking mindset
Farina gave Everton's Cahill his debut with the Olympic team in friendly on 30 July against Korea Republic's U-23 team, a match which the East Asians won handily 3-1.  The disappointing reverse may leave Farina questioning the team's attacking mindset as he previously had the side lined up in a pressing 4-3-3, with Osasuna's Aloisi in front and Ahmad Elrich (scorer against Korea, the country where he plays his club football) and u-20 standout Alex Brosque on the wings.

The tactic did produce a 1-0 result against Japan five days before the Korean defeat, which saw Aloisi and Rangers' Moore playing their part.  One name missing from the Olympic roster is 22-year-old Hearts prodigy Patrick Kisnorbo, who refused to join the team for qualifying and was thus left out by Farina.

The best result for the Olyroos came in 1992 when they finished fourth in the Barcelona Olympiad.  They have never faced Argentina, Serbia and Montenegro or Tunisia in the event before.