Africa World Cup 2010: Ivory Coast Vs North Korea Preview can Didier Drogba help Ivory win
Group G which was dubbed as the group of death has not really turned out to be anything as predicted. This is one of the few groups in the world cup, where going into the last round of matches, we pretty much know who the top 2 teams are. With Brazil and Portugal sitting on 6 and 4 points respectively, both are all but assured a passage into the final 16 of the world cup. If Ivory Coast win and Portugal lose, Ivory Coast will be level on points with them, but taking into account the big goal difference Portugal have. It would have to be a big win for Ivoirians and a one sided loss for Portugal, for Ivory Coast to make it through, all of that though is quite unlikely.
So given the permutations it can still not be called a dead rubber, as Ivory Coast take on North Korea in their final group game for the FIFA world cup 2010.
Ivory Coast manager Sven-Goran Eriksson was the man in charge of England in the last world cup, and did manage to take them to the quarter finals, where they fell on penalties to Portugal. However, this time he had a whole different proposition at his hands. Against all odds trying to take the Elephants (Ivory Coast) to the round of 16, and that too in a group where there was Brazil and Portugal. Nevertheless, to his credit his team has not looked totally out of place in the world cup. Ivory Coast really held their own against Portugal. Erikson came up with a game plan and the whole team stuck to that, kept the more accomplished Europeans at an arm’s length, and had number of chances to even win the match. Even against Brazil for a good part of the game, they did stand firm, but it was the constant pressure from the mighty South Americans that eventually broke them down.
Ivory Coast have players who are applying their trade in some of the biggest clubs in Europe, none more so then their Captain Didier Drogba, who plays for Chelsea and with great distinction it must be said. Drogba has been at the centre of all their plans, and when he fractured his elbow before the world cup, there was utter chaos in the Ivory Coast camp, but thankfully, he recovered in time. He has been the only goal scorer for them so far.
Emmanuel Eboué, has been part of Arsenal for a while, he is great at marshalling the midfield and has the ability to hold the game and also make forward darts when needed. Another man making his name in Europe is Kolo Touré, another Arsenal man who has now moved to Manchester City, he has the ability to match it with the best of strikers; he is solid as a rock in defence and can be the key in holding off Korea. While his brother Yahya Toure plays for Barcelona who are absolute giants of the game, Yahya has the ability to see and make the tightest of passes from midfield and Drogba will be heavily dependent on his threaded through passes. Drogba’s strike partner Salomon Kalou, who also partners him at Chelsea has raw pace and skill to take on the best of defences, North Korea may have their hands full with a potent line up like that.
On the other hand, North Korea does not have many big name players, but they thrive on their athletic abilities and neat passing. Jong Tae-Se, is one man capable of out pacing the best of defenders, he has immense skill but at times lacks the final finish.
Key battle in the match is expected to be between Kolo Toure and Jong Tae-Se. Tae-Se has shown enough talent in this world cup to be picked up by a European, which can make him first player from his country to do so. When he comes up against Toure, it will be a good chance to see what he has to offer, Tae-Se although has the pace and a good touch, but against Tore he would have, his work Cut out.
Lack of height has been their biggest weakness; in contrast Ivory Coast have some of the tallest men in football, so set pieces can be a real threat for North Korea.
So there it is Ivory Coast against North Korea, not really a dead rubber, but not really much hope for either of the team. Ivory Coast will look to go out with a bang and put up a show; while North Korea will do, all they can to not leave the world cup with the memory of a 7 nil hammering from Portugal.
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