Title favorites the Netherlands and Nigeria will meet in their opening match at the Olympic men's soccer tournament on Thursday.

Nigeria, who claimed the gold in 1996, aims to repeat the feat while the Dutch, three-time Olympic bronze medalist, has made clear its ambition to enter uncharted territory.

Nigeria coach Samson Siasia said: "We are here to do the best we can and get a gold medal. The Dutch are the favourites in the group but the team that scores more goals will win the game."

English club Everton's striker Victor Anichebe has been included in the Nigerian squad. The 20-year-old hit five goals in 41 appearances last season for Everton, and helped his country reach the Olympics with a 3-0 win over South Africa.

Nigeria's squad also includes defender Taye Taiwo of French club Olympique Marseille and forward Obinna Nsofor of Italian club Chievo Verona.

The most difficult thing for Siasia is that he only had a short time to work with players from all over the world.

"It's difficult," he said. "But this team has been together since 2005."

On the Netherlands side, they have not participated in the Olympic tournament since 1952 despite gaining three bronze medals prior to the Second World War.

Coach Foppe de Haan had a number of players competing at the top level in Europe, including English club Liverpool's winger Ryan Babel and Spanish club Valencia's miefielder Hedwiges Maduro.

De Haan has every reason to be confident following his team's success in the European Under-21 Championship, the second continental triumph in a row for the Dutch.

"We're proud of being two times European champions. That makes everyone think we're good. And we are good. The only reason for being here is to win," De Haan said.

The 34-year-old striker Roy Makaay was selected as one of the three over-age players. His club Feyenoord has granted him permission to miss the season's preparation to support De Haan in his endeavours to win the Olympic gold.

"We came to China to win a medal," Makaay said. "We played against Cameron and Cote d'Ivoire in warm-ups, so that was perfect preparation for our first match against Nigeria. We have got used, a little, to the players of Africa."

(Xinhua News Agency August 6, 2008)