But he says the Kiwis will still remember to push for all three points in today's match against Belarus in Coventry.

The Central Coast Mariners midfielder was an unused member of the All Whites squad that went unbeaten at the 2010 World Cup, along with fellow overage Olympians Ryan Nelsen and Shane Smeltz and young guns Tommy Smith and Chris Wood, who all saw game time in South Africa.

McGlinchey revealed the Olympic journey has had a more communal vibe that makes for a unique football experience.

“We arrived at the Olympic village on the first day it was open,” he told au.fourfourtwo.com. “Team Great Britain was there. You could see Giggs and Bellamy walking about, and it was pretty cool to be fair.

“The big food court was something else, it was just massive. We're in our hotel now with four other teams so it's really cool just mingling and seeing how everyone else is preparing. It's pretty different to the World Cup where we were pretty isolated and kept to ourselves.

“It sinks in then when you see the Olympic rings on the stadium. Everybody's just looking forward to it now.”

McGlinchey admitted the Olywhites need to take at least four points from Belarus in Coventry and Egypt at Old Trafford or else face an impossible task in having to conquer Brazil's star-studded side in the final group match at St James' Park.

With the likes of Neymar, Ganso and Alexandre Pato in their U23 ranks and Hulk, Marcelo and Thiago Silva joining as overage players, Brazil brings outrageous quality to a tournament they are desperate to win.

Just being at the Games is already a treasured opportunity for a player who spends his club football sharing a midfield with the skipper of the Olyroos team that failed to qualify for London, Oliver Bozanic.

“Last year I was well aware the Aussies were trying to get to the Olympics,” McGlinchey said.

“At that time I never thought there'd be a possibility of me even participating at the Games so it's just an amazing feeling to be part of an Olympic campaign.

"I'm really thankful to the coaching staff for bringing me on board and I hope I can repay them.

“To play against Brazil at an Olympic tournament is a dream come true and to play at Old Trafford is something you never think you'll have the chance to do.

"We just have to not be fazed by anything and hopefully do our country proud.”

The Olywhites squad has a strong A-League flavour with McGlinchey and Smeltz joined by Melbourne Victory starlet Marco Rojas and former Brisbane star Kosta Barbarouses.

McGlinchey is banking on that familiarity and togetherness to give his side an edge.

He added: “You do get used to players, you know their qualities so you know what they bring to the table.

"Also with the boys playing in England, it's the same - they've been playing against each other in the Championship. Everyone's really familiar with each other.

“There is a core of the team that has been playing in the All Whites for a while now so it's a pretty experienced squad for an U23 tournament.”

The A-League players and other full professionals will return to their clubs whenever the team is eliminated.

But McGlinchey admitted some of New Zealand youngsters will probably milk the experience for all its worth and hang around to enjoy the infamous shenanigans of the Olympics village.

“Most of the young boys are staying until the closing ceremony,” he said.

“Half of the team are leaving after our last game - but the young boys are hanging around until the end anyways.”