June 15, 2010 7:30:00 PM ISTNelson Mandela Bay, Port Elizabeth
Finally the day has come, the big match is here. The Group of death will be played today on the 15th of June as Brazil, Portugal, Ivory Coast and Korea DPR take the field. But the match to watch out for is Portugal vs Ivory Coast. Both the teams are vying for a second spot in the group as Brazil are favorites to come out on top. This is going to be a cracker of a game.
FORM GUIDE
| 08/06-10 | International Friendly Games | Portugal vs. Mozambique | 3:0 |
| 01/06-10 | International Friendly Games | Portugal vs. Cameroon | 3:1 |
| 24/05-10 | International Friendly Games | Portugal vs. Cape Verde | 0:0 |
| 03/03-10 | International Friendly Games | Portugal vs. China | 2:0 |
Simao Sabrosa
Likely XI {4-4-2} : Eduardo(GK), Palo Ferreira, Bruno Alves, Ricardo Carvalho, Fabio Coentrao, Pedro Mendes, Raul Meireles, Deco, Cristiano Ronaldo, Simao Sabrosa, Liedson
Portugal have had a decent run in the friendlies with relative success, the only creditable performance was against the likes of Cameroon. Portugal are a firm side when it comes to their line up. Cristiano Ronaldo the skipper will spearhead the team and is potential legend in the making. Old legs Simao and Deco will be key to the performance of Portugal as they will create chances for Ronaldo with their crosses and well timed runs.
Carlos Quieroz will be keen on putting up a solid performance defensively against the Ivory Coast who are potentially destructive. But the injury cloud over Drogba might provide them some relief. portugal’s biggest quality lies in the fact that their midfield is capable of scoring goals and with Ronaldo at the head the counter attacks will be well paced.
| 04/06-10 | International Friendly Games | Japan vs. Ivory Coast | 0:2 |
| 30/05-10 | International Friendly Games | Paraguay vs. Ivory Coast | 2:2 |
| 03/03-10 | International Friendly Games | South Korea vs. Ivory Coast | 2:0 |
Yaya Toure
Probable Line-Up {4-3-3}: Bouabacar Barry, Emanuel Eboue, Kolo Toure, Souleymane Bamba, Siaka Tiene, Gervals Kouassi, Didier Zokora, Yaya Toure, Cheik Tiote, Salomon Kalou, Seydou Doumbia
Ivory Coast have put up a performance of no particular note in the friendlies and lost their key player Didier Drogba to injury in one of these games. So the experience has been less than fruitful. Ivory Coast’s advantage over Portugal will lie in the physical strength they possess, with able defenders in Eboue and Toure; They look solid at the back.
Soloman Kalou has a huge responsibility on his shoulders a and his form will matter the most today. He must finish off the chances created by Yaya Toure and co. to make a match out of this one.
Prediction
This is by far the most unpredictable match of the tournament. Both the teams are capable of victory and a draw also looks possible. A lot will depend on how the two teams approach the game. I expect neither side to be defensive in their approach as both boast of their quality attack. It is likely that a single goal will make the difference.
Predicted Scoreline: Portugal 2 - 1 Ivory Coast, or the other way round.
