BEIJING, April 21 -- Brazil, Italy and host China received favorable draws on Sunday for the Beijing Olympics Football tournament.

    In the draw conducted by FIFA, Brazil and China were drawn together in Group C of the men's tournament, along with New Zealand and Belgium, with the top two teams from each group to progress.

    In the 16-team men's tournament, defending champion Argentina was drawn in Group A alongside the Ivory Coast, Australia and Serbia.

    In Group B, its the Netherlands, Nigeria, Japan and the United States, while Group D drew Italy against South Korea, Cameroon and Honduras.

    In the women's draw, China was drawn against Sweden, Argentina and Canada. World champion Germany, and World Cup runner-up Brazil were drawn with North Korea and Nigeria.

    The US, which was third in last year's women's World Cup, was drawn in Group G with Norway, Japan and New Zealand.

    Both tournaments open before the official start of the Aug. 8-24 Olympics. The women's tournament opens on Aug. 6 with six games scheduled in Tianjin, Shenyang and Qinhuangdao.

    The men begin on Aug. 7 with eight games in Shanghai, Tianjin, Shenyang and Qinhuangdao.

    (Source: Shanghai Daily)