gillsminnow Posted June 14, 2010 Share Posted June 14, 2010 vs Ivory Coast vs Portugal Venue: Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Port Elizabeth Referee: Jorge Larrionda (Uruguay) Tuesday sees the first meeting between Côte d’Ivoire and Portugal in the history of the FIFA World Cup™, in a Group G encounter that promises both plenty of excitement and goalmouth action. In their second consecutive appearance at the global showpiece, the west Africans will be out to prove that their growing continental reputation is wholly merited. “For this generation of players not to win anything would be a shame,” says Ivorian midfielder, Romaric. Winning a match, their group or even the whole tournament will depend on the answer to two crucial questions: Will Didier Drogba play? And what kind of boost will the arrival of new coach Sven-Goran Eriksson provide?Standing between Côte d’Ivoire and an opening victory in the competition is a Portuguese side dogged by inconsistency. The 2006 semi-finalists were forced to qualify via a play-off, but will hope to replicate the good form they showed in their pre-event friendly matches. The Iberian team will rely on talisman Cristiano Ronaldo, unplayable on his day, to get them off to the best possible start in what many regard as the toughest group of all. The match Côte d’Ivoire-Portugal, Group G, Port Elizabeth, Wednesday 15 June, 16.00 (local time) Appointed in March of this year, Eriksson will take charge of the Elephants in a competitive match for the first time against Portugal. It was the former England coach’s previous experience in the FIFA World Cup – reaching the quarter-finals in both 2002 and 2006 – that won him the job, and if the reaction of his players is anything to go by, he has already made a considerable impact. What effect the uncertainty regarding Drogba’s potential participation will have is not yet clear, however. Facing Eriksson’s men is a Lusitanian side that made surprisingly heavy work of qualifying for the tournament, picking up just one win from the first five matches of their campaign. A timely return to form brought A Selecção das Quinas firmly back into contention, with eight unanswered goals in four games sending them through to an ultimately successful play-off tie against Bosnia-Herzegovina. Deprived of the injured Nani, Carlos Queiroz’s men will need to rediscover that form if they have serious pretensions of emulating here in South Africa their achievements of four years ago in Germany. Players to watch Kolo Toure v Cristiano Ronaldo Promoted to the role of captain in the absence of Didier Drogba for Côte d’Ivoire’s final warm-up matches, the Manchester City centre-back Kolo Toure is set to come up against a familiar old foe in Port Elizabeth. Cristiano Ronaldo, the former Old Trafford favourite, enjoyed some epic battles with the Ivorian during his time in the English Premier League. The in-form Real Madrid maestro, upon whose shoulders rest the hopes of an entire nation, will doubtless look to use those past experiences to gain an edge over the ex-Arsenal defender early on in the game. The stat 74 - The number of days Sven-Goran Eriksson had at his disposal to prepare his Côte d’Ivoire team for the FIFA World Cup. The Swede took the reins of the Ivorian national side on 28 March 2010. What they said “Eriksson has put an added emphasis on playing as a team and not just as a collection of individuals. He has managed to change the mindset of the squad and of each player. We’ve always had good players, but have never been able to properly work together as an effective unit, defending and attacking as one,” Kolo Toure, Côte d’Ivoire defender “Winning this game would make things much easier for us in terms of progressing in the competition. I want to be on top form so as to be recognised as the tournament’s best player, and to help the team to move forward,” Cristiano Ronaldo, Portuguese forward Voice of the fans “Many people underestimate Portugal, but I have a lot of confidence in our team. We haven’t really shown what we can do yet – the players know that their desire and team ethic can take them far. This team has the support of an entire people behind it. We’re one big family, and we stick together,” FIFA.com user Soniih’a. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
20LEGEND Posted June 14, 2010 Share Posted June 14, 2010 On paper the tie of the round, hopefully it is after some stinking games in the opening days Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tcoleman1 Posted June 14, 2010 Share Posted June 14, 2010 Absolutely gutted Spent 30 mins making this and no one had posted it. Just about to post it and I see this Where did you find your preview stuff as I have just written mine from scratch? Pretty proud of it tbf. Hoping Ivory Coast win this. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Standard liege! Posted June 14, 2010 Share Posted June 14, 2010 Hoping Ivory Coast win this for Sven :*) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
nistelrooy_uk_10 Posted June 14, 2010 Share Posted June 14, 2010 Half day from work again tomorrow, hopefully it's worth it Want Portugal to win Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gillsminnow Posted June 14, 2010 Author Share Posted June 14, 2010 Absolutely gutted Spent 30 mins making this and no one had posted it. Just about to post it and I see this Where did you find your preview stuff as I have just written mine from scratch? Pretty proud of it tbf. Hoping Ivory Coast win this. Was on FIFA, had a scout about and nobody had made one even though the other ties for tomorrow were up. Thought this game didn't deserve to be left out so made it one. Heard IC asking for Drogba to be able to play in a cast or something. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrDiCanio Posted June 14, 2010 Share Posted June 14, 2010 As I posted in the Ivory Coast thread: If Cech can wear his protective hat, why wouldn't Drogba be allowed to wear a protective strapping/cast? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gunner4eva Posted June 14, 2010 Share Posted June 14, 2010 will miss the 1st half of this but should be back in time for the 2nd , should be a good game in theory. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlesbeams Posted June 14, 2010 Share Posted June 14, 2010 Looking forward to this, hope Ivory Coast win Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ibra8 Posted June 14, 2010 Share Posted June 14, 2010 Portugal wins 2-0 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cockney Hammer Posted June 14, 2010 Share Posted June 14, 2010 Going to try and get home from work by at least 2.30 so I don't miss any of it. 2-1 Ivory Coast. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pukey Posted June 14, 2010 Share Posted June 14, 2010 Mon Ivory Coast Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pouncer Posted June 15, 2010 Share Posted June 15, 2010 Really looking forward to this, tomorrow is the best day so far of the tournament I think. 'mon Ivory Coast, my second team. Eboué needs a mention too. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcsheffreygreat Posted June 15, 2010 Share Posted June 15, 2010 Heart says the Ivory Coast, head says Portugal hope the former go far, though. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oypus Posted June 15, 2010 Share Posted June 15, 2010 As I posted in the Ivory Coast thread: If Cech can wear his protective hat, why wouldn't Drogba be allowed to wear a protective strapping/cast? Cech's thing is a soft cast. I was led to believe by many sources/articles/reporters that Drogba had a hard cast put on, which makes sense because it's meant to keep his bones in place, not protect them. A hard cast could possibly be a danger to other players, so he would probably need to wear a soft cast or something over the hard cast he already has. I really hope Drogba plays. One of my favorite players. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlesbeams Posted June 15, 2010 Share Posted June 15, 2010 Wont be posting much on this match thread today, but definitely watching Will wear an Orange t-shirt MON Côte d’Ivoire Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Orzelek Posted June 15, 2010 Share Posted June 15, 2010 Looking forward to this game Think that Portugal will get a narrow win, 2-1 probably Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Micado Posted June 15, 2010 Share Posted June 15, 2010 Just hope for a good game, to me it doesn't really matter who will win.. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
DJ Posted June 15, 2010 Share Posted June 15, 2010 These teams both have it in them to score but also to mess up horribly, CIV more so than POR. As I don't like Portugal, dirty leg kickers, I hope CIV win it, but can see Portugal routinely sweep them aside. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ham_aka_stam Posted June 15, 2010 Share Posted June 15, 2010 Drogba's been cleared to play. BBC says the match referee had the final word on it, so I assume FIFA don't have a strict rule and leave it down to the match ref. Afterall, it's him who's got to watch for Didier wacking people with it. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tcoleman1 Posted June 15, 2010 Share Posted June 15, 2010 Can't wait to see the look on someone's face when they crunch Drogba's solid cast, although I presume its not that hard anymore otherwise it would be a bit unfair. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pouncer Posted June 15, 2010 Share Posted June 15, 2010 This is going to be a terrific game, I think. First game with more than three goals in it this tournament (except for Germany). Ivory Coast 3-2 Portugal. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
VamPook Posted June 15, 2010 Share Posted June 15, 2010 So is Dogba playing? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pouncer Posted June 15, 2010 Share Posted June 15, 2010 As far as I know he's set to play with a cast on his arm. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Razzler Posted June 15, 2010 Share Posted June 15, 2010 Not really sure way this will go, people predicting high scoring draws and stuff so bound to be dull as dishwater and 0-0 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BamBamBam Posted June 15, 2010 Share Posted June 15, 2010 The way this World Cup has gone, i'd say a 1-0 is the best we can hope... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrators Philip Rolfe Posted June 15, 2010 Administrators Share Posted June 15, 2010 CIV: Barry, K.Toure ©, Zokora, Kalou, Tiote, Gervinho, Dindane, Tiene, Y.Toure, Demel, Eboue Portugal: Eduardo, Alves, Ferreira, Carvalho, Ronaldo ©, Pedro Mendes, Liedson, Danny, Meireles, Deco, Coentrao Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pouncer Posted June 15, 2010 Share Posted June 15, 2010 Drogba is on the bench then Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
samba23 Posted June 15, 2010 Share Posted June 15, 2010 Not many people are talking about Ronaldo. He seems to be the forgotten man of this World Cup. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ibra8 Posted June 15, 2010 Share Posted June 15, 2010 Like i thought Danny instead of Simão, Ferreira and Coentrão beating the competition for the FB spot. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tcoleman1 Posted June 15, 2010 Share Posted June 15, 2010 Just realised my posts in here were based around Drogba having a cast on his leg I know it's on his arm so I don't know why I kept referring to people kicking him there. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ACou2000 Posted June 15, 2010 Share Posted June 15, 2010 come on Ronaldo Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ty Posted June 15, 2010 Share Posted June 15, 2010 My expectations of this match are thiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiis high! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rougess Posted June 15, 2010 Share Posted June 15, 2010 Hoping for a genuinely good game today. This is almost the decider between who finishes second imo, so if they play with that in mind this should be a stonker Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gizmo7 Posted June 15, 2010 Share Posted June 15, 2010 Didn't know Ronaldo was captain for his country. Well played to him Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ricky Riccardo Posted June 15, 2010 Share Posted June 15, 2010 going for Ivory coast I hope the fake ronaldo gets a broken leg from all the diving he will be doing. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
nistelrooy_uk_10 Posted June 15, 2010 Share Posted June 15, 2010 Ronnie gutted nani isn't there, expected him to have a good tournament. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ACou2000 Posted June 15, 2010 Share Posted June 15, 2010 Ronnie gutted nani isn't there, expected him to have a good tournament. still - Ronaldo Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
7zige Posted June 15, 2010 Share Posted June 15, 2010 Go Ronaldo~ Viva Ronaldo~ Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
joe__the__man Posted June 15, 2010 Share Posted June 15, 2010 Danny and Coentrao starting. Fantasy football gamble may yet come off Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tcoleman1 Posted June 15, 2010 Share Posted June 15, 2010 My expectations of this match are thiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiis high! Is that it? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wasma Posted June 15, 2010 Share Posted June 15, 2010 nice character assassination on sven there by itv Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pouncer Posted June 15, 2010 Share Posted June 15, 2010 Allez Les Éléphants! This is when the WC begins. Eboué and Barry. Watch them. I promise you. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tcoleman1 Posted June 15, 2010 Share Posted June 15, 2010 Allez Les Éléphants! This is when the WC begins. Eboué and Barry. Watch them. I promise you. Eboue He will either do something brilliant or make a defensive howler. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rougess Posted June 15, 2010 Share Posted June 15, 2010 Hopefully both Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ty Posted June 15, 2010 Share Posted June 15, 2010 Is that it? You can't see what I am doing with my arms! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tcoleman1 Posted June 15, 2010 Share Posted June 15, 2010 Did Heskey just put that ball in the net? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hom3r Posted June 15, 2010 Share Posted June 15, 2010 Is Pepe injured? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Djstu23 Posted June 15, 2010 Share Posted June 15, 2010 Please have goals. 2-2 draw. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tcoleman1 Posted June 15, 2010 Share Posted June 15, 2010 You can't see what I am doing with my arms! I don't think I want to mate I think our after every post might have ruffled some feathers. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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