Portugal V Ivory Coast Fan Reactions
Ivory Coast was the team that had the proud smile on after clinging onto a nil-nil draw against 2006 semi-finalists Portugal, in an action packed yet goalless group G encounter of the 19th football World Cup being staged in South Africa.
Ivory Coast’s superstar striker Didier Drogba made a substitute appearance and Cristiano Ronaldo hit a post yet the match finished in a 0-0 draw.
The match was played in the mid-field generally as the two teams struggled to break through each other’s defence in a cagey encounter.
Portugal's captain and spearhead Ronaldo rattled struck the post with a stunning long range free kick in the 11th minute, but this was the closest the Europeans got to scoring in the game, as their African opponents tightened the screws around Portugal’s strike force.
Ivory Coast striker Drogba, who broke an arm on the eve of the tournament, strolled onto the pitch in the 66th minute wearing a cast, yet failed to provide his team a goal.
On the other hand the Europeans struggled to make an impact and have only harmed their chances of advancing from the group of death that also includes five time champions Brazil and North Korea.
Ivory Coast also known as “The Elephants” started the match with out Drogba, but the striker received a magnificent reception when he finally made an appearance at the Port Elizabeth pitch.
Gervais Kouassi, was the go to man for the elephants as he toyed with Portugal’s defence with penetrating runs that made life miserable for the defenders.
Ronaldo looked threatening in some lively bursts through the African’s defence early on yet his attempts were thwarted by a resolute performance from his opponents.
He made the best attempt of the match in the 11th minute when his superb long range free kick crashed in the post with Ivory Coast custodian Boubacar Barry beaten.
For the Africans Salomon Kalou wasted an opportunity in the 55th minute when his feeble attempt was stopped by the Portuguese keeper, Eduardo.
Meanwhile the Ivory Coast fans celebrated in the streets of Port Elizabeth on after the match ended in a draw, with most of them considering it a morale boosting achievement for the elephants.
Some of the fans were elated on the return of Drogba claiming that the striker was a brave man "We were just not lucky, that's all. You can see how many opportunities to score we lost, Drogba is injured but he did his best. But the tournament has just started," Ivory Coast soccer fan Roger said after the match.
The Elephants fans hoped that Drogba who is a vital cog in the African’s line-up would provide the ammunition for goal scoring for the dark horses of the tournament.
Despite his absence for most part of the match Ivory Coast stood firm, and the fans recognised the effort of their players in tough circumstances against one of the highest ranked opponents in the tournament.
The supporters of the Africans remained confident, and think that their team has a great chance of going through to the next round of the tournament.
The Portuguese fans were also relieved that their team sneaked through with a point from the match, despite looking rusty on the big occasion.
Some fans felt that the team was a little complacent and over relied on their captain and striker Cristiano Ronaldo, but one passionate supporter thought other wise declaring that his team would win the trophy, "We are going to win the final, we didn't play well today perhaps, but we will win at the end," claimed Joseph.
Despite the draw the Portuguese are in with a fair chance of qualifying, yet would have to put their best on display especially against Brazil who escaped with a 2-1 win over underdogs North Korea.
The North Koreans proved that they were no pushovers and stunned the five time champions with a late strike, after conceding two goals in quick succession, during the second half of the match.
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