Surf's up: Fiji riding tidal wave of triumph ahead of maiden Olympics

Oceanic minnow Fiji enters its maiden Olympics a massive underdog.

Just don't tell the football players that.

With a debut in the quadrennial games only weeks away, the tiny Pacific nation has plenty of reason to be optimistic on the heels of a successful first appearance at the Under-20 World Cup in New Zealand.

That performance paired with a promising start to 2018 World Cup qualifiers is a source of confidence for Frank Farina's squad ahead of the games in Rio.

Tasked with an unenviable group alongside reigning Olympic champ Mexico, London 2012 bronze medalist South Korea, and World Cup-holders Germany, Fiji will play three sides who have promising youth set-ups.

If there's any commonality between Fiji and the three decorated sides it faces in Rio, its an emphasis on youth development.

"In terms of development for Fiji, local football has gone through the roof," Fiji gaffer Farina told FIFA.com.

Not bad for a tiny island nation where rugby is king.

"In just 12 months football has grown because of the U-20 World Cup. No one expected the team to do well at all, but we were 20 minutes away from the second round. A few weeks later the team qualified for Rio, and now we have advanced in the next stage of World Cup qualifying."

That growth and the subsequent results have had more than a bearing on the advancement of football on Fiji.

"And I think largely due to the success of the team at the U-20 World Cup, Oceania now has two spots for the U-20 and U-17 World Cup. So there is real impetus and the whole profile of Fiji football has lifted," Farina added.

Faced with an uphill climb against three continental footballing forces, Fiji will kick-off its Olympic debut on Aug. 4 against Korea in Salvador, before tilts with Mexico and Germany.

Without the pressure associated with colossal expectations, Fiji will arrive in Rio knowing that a miracle is not beyond question, just ask Iceland.

"But sometimes strange things can happen," Farina offered. "Anything can happen on a football field, as long as you prepare well."