A draw for the Olyroos with a narrow loss for the Matildas on the first day of the Olympic competition in Athens 2004.

The Matildas were narrowly beaten by Brazil in their opening match with the Brazilian teams showing many of the silky skills associated with their male counterparts. Brazil won 1 – 0 with the only goal coming in the 36th minute from the Brazilian player Marta just inside the Matildas penalty area.

The Matildas’next game is against Greece on Saturday in Thessaloniki.

The Olyroos fared better with a 1 -1 draw against Tunisia. The Olyroos went ahead on the stroke of halftime with a goal from John Aloisi after some brilliant work by Ahmad Elrich. The goal did not inspire the Australian team to better things in the second half and it would appear the equaliser was well deserved based upon the run of play.

The Olyroos play there next game against Serbia and Montenegro on Saturday in a game the Australian U23’s must win if they are to proceed to the next stage of the competition.