During the 2014 FIFA World Cup the Fonte Nova Arena in Salvador was the scene for the memorable matches such as the Netherlands’  5-1 demolition of defending champions Spain, and the USA’s gutsy 2-1 defeat by Belgium in the round of 16. This August, the venue will again host top-level international football when it stages 10 matches in the Rio 2016 Olympic football tournaments.

With the Olympic Torch Relay passing through Salvador on Tuesday (24 May), rio2016.com has highlighted some of the mouth-watering clashes among the seven men’s and three women’s matches that will be staged in the state capital of Bahia.

Groups and match schedule defined for Rio 2016 Olympic football tournaments

The most attractive game appears to be the first one: the 4 August clash between defending Olympic champions Mexico and world champions Germany, who despite having never won an Olympic title, will show faith in their under-23 players by not bringing any ‘over-age’ players. Despite their chastening 7-1 win over Brazil in the World Cup semi-final at the Mineirão in Belo Horizonte, which will also host Olympic matches, Germans are likely to be welcomed back to Bahia with open arms.

The manner in which they interacted with the local community, and left a legacy of an eco-friendly tourist resort that they had built as their training base, meant the Germans left Brazil with plenty of good faith, as well as the World Cup. The fact that Mexico beat Brazil in the London 2012 final – and that the Germans beat Argentina in the 2014 World Cup final in Rio – should also ensure the locals are on Germany’s side.

The Fonte Nova was built in 1951 and renovated for the 2014 World Cup (Photo: Getty Images/Jeff Gross)

The Fonte Nova will also host the Olympic debut of Fiji, who will take on London 2012 bronze medallists the Republic of Korea, later on 4 August. As the underdogs, Fiji should be able to count on local support, especially against Mexico on 7 August. Later that day the Koreans will take on the Germans in the replay of the 2002 World Cup semi-final, which the European side won 1-0 in Seoul.

Salvador is likely to embrace the Olympic spirit most passionately on 10 August, when the Japan v Sweden 7pm match will be followed at 10pm by Brazil, set to be led by Neymar, versus Denmark in their third and final group match. The hosts are desperate to win their first Olympic title but they should take care as Denmark hold the record for the biggest ever Olympic win, a 17-1 thrashing of France at the London 1908 Games. That scoreline will sound too familiar to Brazilian ears for comfort.

In the women’s tournament, which is contested by full senior squads, Zimbabwe are likely to have a difficult Olympic debut on 9 August. The African side, who are ranked 95th in the world, must take on world No.5 Australia. The other women’s group match should be a closer affair, with world No.3 France, who lost the bronze medal match to Sweden at London 2012, taking on 15th ranked New Zealand.

The Fonte Nova will also host one men’s and one women’s quarter-final. See the full schedule below.

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See also:

Guide to Rio 2016 Olympic football tournament in São Paulo

Guide to Rio 2016 Olympic football tournament in Belo Horizonte

Guide to Rio 2016 Olympic football tournament in Manaus

Guide to Rio 2016 Olympic football tournament in Brasília