Kalou relishing Dutch challenge

0 Comments | AFP, August, 2008

HONG KONG (AFP) — Ivory Coast striker Salomon Kalou said Friday a good performance in his side's final game in a pre-Olympic tournament in Hong Kong was vital going into next week's Beijing Games.

The 22-year-old Chelsea player, who spent three seasons playing in the Dutch top flight with Feyenoord, will be up against some familiar faces when Ivory Coast play The Netherlands at Hong Kong Stadium on Saturday evening.

And he admits the Dutch are the team everyone likes to watch.

"Holland are a really nice team to watch and they have many great players. These are the guys you pay to go and watch. It will be great just to be on the same pitch as them," said Kalou.

"However, although they have many good players, we need to show we can compete with them...