Nigeria’s group phase opponent in the upcoming Olympic Games, the Netherlands are keen on securing a win over the Dream Team IV and are leaving no stone unturned in order to achieve their set goal.
Both sides will clash head-on in one of the most eagerly anticipated games of the tournament on August 7 in what could eventually make or mar both side’s subsequent involvement in the Olympics.
The Dutch understand the importance of securing a win over Samson Siasia’s Dream Team IV side and have lined up two high profile friendlies against the U-23 side of Cote d’ Ivoire and Cameroun, all in an effort to get to understand the mentality of the Nigerian side.
The Dutch side will first come up against the Camerounians on July 30 before taking on the Ivorians three days later.
And team captain Roy Makaay is confident the games against the Africans will put them in good stead for their encounter in Tianjin against Nigeria.
The Dutch are taking part in the football event of the Olympic Games for the first time in 56 years and Makaay said:
“We want to be prepared and we have but one target out here in Hong Kong which is to prepare for the Olympic Games.
“It is the first time we will be taking part in a long time and we want to achieve a good placing at the end of it all.“We are in a difficult group, no doubt, and our first opponents are a quality side. So it is good that we will play against Ivory Coast and Cameroun, so we can get used to the African style of play.
“These will be two good tests for us and hopefully we can pick some points from these matches and then go out there on August 7 and get a result,” added the former Bayern Munich striker.
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