Reigning champions Nigeria salvaged a 3-3 draw after trailing unfancied Honduras 3-1 in a Group A thriller as the men and women's Olympic football tournaments got the Sydney Olympics off to a thrilling - if premature - start yesterday.

However, it was a disappointing debut for host nation Australia, with their men unlucky to lose 1-0 to star-studded Italy in front of a packed 93,252 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) while their female counterparts were beaten 30 by Germany in a Group E clash in Canberra with bungling goalkeeper Tracey Wheeler carrying the can.

The other women's Group A clash saw Brazil ease to a 2-0 win over Sweden while in men's Group C the US fought out a 2-2 draw with the Czech Republic while Cameroon edged to a 3-2 win over Kuwait.

Melbourne provided the perfect stage for Australia's men at the MCG. For a long time it looked as though the Olyroos might sneak a win against the Italians, who fielded five players who played bit parts in the squad that reached the Euro 2000 final in July.

However, a lapse in concentration from defender Hayden Foxe proved fatal after 81 minutes. Substitute Massimo Margiotta took full advantage, setting up a golden chance for Andrea Pirlo, who scuffed his shot but saw it just creep over the line off a post.

The surprise performance came in the other Group A match in the men's tournament when Honduras raced to a 3-1 lead before the Nigerians salvaged a late draw in Adelaide.

Relieved assistant coach Lawrence Akopokong said: "Everybody has seen it's not easy to be a champion. We never expected anything less from Honduras. We wanted to win . . . it's not easy coming from 3-1 down but we never gave up."

In Group C a second-half penalty from Lukas Dosek earned the Czech Republic a 2-2 draw with the United States at Canberra.

The stalemate ensured Cameroon's Indomitable Lions topped the pool although they did not impress in a 3-2 win over Kuwait at Brisbane.