World Cup Preview - Group G - Ivory Coast
Nickname: “Les Elephants”FIFA ranking: 27th
Coach: Lock up your secretaries - it's Sven Goran Ericksson.
Game Schedule:
June 15 – Ivory Coast vs. Portugal (Port Elizabeth, 10 a.m. EST, ESPN)
June 20 – Ivory Coast vs. Brazil (Jo'burg, 2:30 p.m., ABC)
June 25 – Ivory Coast vs. North Korea (Nelspruit, 10 a.m., ESPN2)
Prospects: Up until recently, Les Elephants were my tip for the most successful African side in this year's tournament. But several body blows, including hiring Sven and the recent injury to Didier Drogba have put paid to those hopes. Despite this, the Ivory Coast have one of the most talented teams assembled by an African nation with bags of European experience and youthful enthusiasm. At the very least, they should be fun to watch.
Key Player: Skipper Didier Zokora will have to be at his best in linking defense and attack in order for the Ivory Coast to prosper.
Youngster to watch: 22 year old Lille striker Gervinho is quite tasty.
Who Will Get the Goals: Without Drogs, the burden will fall on his fellow Blue Salomon Kalou.
Who Will Get the Cards: Citeh's Kolo Toure has never been a true center back and he's gotten a bit creaky at this point.
Funniest Name: Yaya just beats out Sol Bamba.
Prediction: The match between Ivory Coast and Portugal should decide this group, and I'm sticking with me guns in picking the Elephants. But that merely gets them a Round of 16 match with tournament favorites Spain.
posted by The Blue Devil @ 5:42 PM
1 Comments:
I had Cote d'Ivoire making a run at this tournament too, but I just think that the loss of Drogba is so demoralizing and profound. I always thought that their attack was what would get them through the group, but that they would concede goals. Now, I just can't see them beating Brazil or Portugal, or scoring enough goals against the Koreans to match the tally of Brazil or Portugal.
Post a Comment
<< Home