Group G – Ivory Coast vs Portugal preview
Posted on | June 13, 2010 | No Comments
Game:- Ivory Coast vs Portugal
Competition :- 2010 FIFA World Cup
Venue :- Nelson Mandela Bay, Port Elizabeth
Date :- Tuesday, 15th June 2010
KO time:- 16.00 South African time
The opening game in the ‘group of death’ is a mouth watering prospect as Ivory Coast battle Portugal in the beautiful city of Port Elizabeth. Will Sven Goran Eriksson’s men get off to a winning start? Read our preview before you bet with PaddyPower.
Ivory Coast – last few games – most recent game on top
v.Japan – Win 2-0 (K Toure, OG)
v.Paraguay – Draw 2-2 (Drogba, Bamba)
v.Togo – Win 4-0
After crashing out at the quarter-final stage at the African Cup of Nations, the Elephants would be hoping to bounce back in a big way. With Eriksson on the touchlines and players who grace some of the biggest teams in Europe, one can’t put it past Ivory Coast to queer the pitch in Group G.
The Toure brothers, Kader Keita, Didier Zokora, Emanuelle Eboue will be the mainstays of the Ivory Coast team. Gervinho, who was voted the best African player in the French League last year is expected to play a big part as well.
The fitness of Didier Drogba is the biggest worry for the Elephants. He is recovering from a broken arm and in all likelihood will not feature in the opener.
Portugal – last few games – most recent game on top
v.Mozambique – Win 3-0 (Danny, Hugo Almeida*2)
v.Cameroon – Win 3-1 (Raul Meireles*2, Nani)
v.Cape Verde Islands – Draw 0-0
v.China – Win 2-0 (Hugo Almeida, Liedson)
Carlos Queiroz has a galaxy of stars to choose from. There are superstars in every position jostling for a place in the first eleven. Deco, Ronaldo, Simao, Veloso, Meireles and Tiago provide strong midfield options. A lot is expected of the striking pair of Hugo Almeida and Liedson.
Manchester United winger Nani has been ruled out of the World Cup with a shoulder problem. His place will be taken by Zenit’s attacking midfielder Danny.
Verdict: Ivory Coast 1-3 Portugal (Kalou / Liedson, Ronaldo, Tiago)
Ivory Coast may be found wanting defensively in this one. Portugal to be off to a winning start.
Related posts:
- Group G – Portugal vs Brazil preview
- Group G – Korea DPR vs Ivory Coast preview
- Group G – Brazil vs Ivory Coast preview
- Group G – Portugal vs Korea DPR preview
- Round of 16- Spain vs Portugal preview
Comments
Leave a Reply