Defending champions Argentina will start their campaign against a tough Cote d'Ivoire side at the Beijing Olympic men's football tournament on Thursday.

Probably it will be an exciting game as both sides like to play open football with a group of talented players.

With Lionel Messi, Juan Riquelme, Sergio Aguero, Javier Mascherano and Fernando Gago, Argentina is very close to their senior national team's level and is the undisputed favourite for the title.

Sergio Batista, a member of Argentina's 1986 World Cup winning side, is likely to use a 4222 formation. With Aguero and Ezquiel Lavezzi up front, Messi will pair playmaker Riquelme in the midfield. Behind them, Mascherano and Gago cover the back four and Oscar Ustari will be at the goal.

Four years ago, coach Marcelo Bielsa's Argentina took their first Olympic gold in convincing style: six wins from six games, 17 goals scored and none conceded.

The Argentines are free from injuries and also enjoy good physical fitness. Some team officials told Xinhua that all the players are physically well prepared, and as fifteen out of the 18-men squad come from European clubs, the hot summer in Shanghai has little impact on the team.

However, Argentina's prowess may not easily scare the Olympic debutants Cote d'Ivoire.

Despite the absence of some big names like Arsenal's Kolo Toure, Emmanuel Eboue, Tottenham Hotspur's Didier Zokora and Chelsea's Didier Drogba, the young Elephants have proved that they have enough power to play with the powerful South American opponents.

The Ivorians lost to South Korea 2-1 in a warm-up before drawing 0-0 with the United States at a four-nation tournament in Hong Kong, China. But their real strength was exposed after a nice draw against European Champions Holland. Urby Emaunelson scored a early goal for the Netherlands, before Ivorian captain Gervinho levelled following a corner. The elephants showed their technical class and were hailed by Dutch coach Foppe De Haan.

"We had a lot of problems with the Ivory Coast and were losing the ball too much. We could have lost this game."

The advantage when facing one of the favourites (Netherlands) for the coming Olympic tournament obviously boosts the Ivorians' confidence, and coach Gerard Gili believes his team will progress through the group stage.

With ace player Salomon Kalou spearheads the attacking, the Elephants will pressure the Argentines with electrifying attacks.

Argentina downed the Elephants 2-1 in their opening match at the FIFA World Cup Germany 2006, in which Riquelme contributed two assists despite the Ivorian advantage.

Earlier on Thursday afternoon, Australia will entertain Serbia in the opening game of Group A.

(Xinhua News Agency August 6, 2008)