The Ivory Coast squad, with a 16-year-old goalkeeper among their ranks, is one of the youngest in Beijing.

The onus falls on Chelsea striker Salomon Kalou, himself just 22 but with plenty of experience, to help his team-mates.

Kalou has been something of a mixed bag at Stamford Bridge since Jose Mourinho signed him in 2006, but there is no doubting his raw talent and pace.

At the other end, Les �l�phants will be looking to powerful Dunfermline centre-back Souleymane Bamba to provide some leadership and shore things up.