2010 World Cup Ivory Coast v North Korea full time report
Ivory Coast 3 North Korea 0
Ivory Coast registered their first win of the World Cup, but it was too little too late for Sven Goran Eriksson’s side, as they bowed out at the group stages for the second consecutive tournament.
Before the game Ivory Coast required a nine-goal turnaround with Portugal, and the Europeans failing to acquire any points against the Brazilians, unfortunately for The Elephants both requirements failed to materialise.
They did however have far too much pace and power for dismal North Korea, goals from Yaya Toure, Romaric and Solomon Kalou meant the Koreans exited the tournament with a whimper.
Right from the off Ivory Coast were relentless in their pursuit for goals, Didier Drogba has a goal disallowed minutes before Toure curled home an impressive opener. The Elephants worked the ball well down the left before the on-rushing Toure showed all his class by cleverly whipping the ball into the corner from the edge of the area.
Ivory Coast doubled their lead minutes later, the record books will show Romaric got the goal - but Drogba deserves all the credit.
The Chelsea striker took down a floated cross, before hammering a half volley against the underside of the bar, and Romaric was on hand to head home the rebound.
The Africans continued their pressure on the lacklustre Koreans for the remainder of the half and Gervinho, who hit a post, Emmanuel Eboue and Drogba all came close to extending the lead.
The attacking emphasis by Sven Goran Erikkson’s side faded away during a pretty dire second half, with Korea starting to finally cause Kolo Toure and his defenders some problems. Jong Ta Sea forced a routine save from Boubacar Barry, but that was the best Korea had to offer.
Unsurprisingly Drogba was the Elephants main threat, and every time the ball was thrown into the box, the Premier League striker conjured up a chance for himself, or one of his teammates. But rarely did they look like adding to the scoreline, the closest they came was through Solomon Kalou, who should have hit the target after being layed in by Drogba.
Kalou did manage to make amends with seven minutes remaining, as he volleyed a strike past the despairing keeper.
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