SB Nation World Cup World Cup 2010 -- Group G
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Didier Drogba and Cote D'Ivoire have only a slim chance to advance out of Group G. Their disappointing World Cup closes against a North Korean team that is looking for the country's second World Cup win ever.
Substitute Salomon Kalou stabbed home a cross from Arthur Boka to give Cote D’Ivoire a 3-0 lead in the 82nd minute against North Korea.
The Chelsea attacker jumped at the Boka cross from the left, scoring the Elephants’ third goal with a right-footed finish.
Cote D’Ivoire, if results hold, would finish third in Group G with four points.
Cote d’Ivoire got two goals within 20 minutes versus North Korea, but having come into the match needing to turn-around a nine goal difference with Portugal, Les Elephants find them off-the-pace for advancing to the knockout stage.
The goal difference may be inconsequential. Portugal needs to lose to Brazil, and the Seleccao have done into halftime drawn 0-0 with the Selecao.
The Ivorians, however, have gotten goals from Yaya Touré and Romaric to take a commanding lead on the North Koreans, putting them on-track for their first win of the 2010 World Cup.
A Didier Drogba shot off the cross bar in the 20th minute rebounded to Romaric, who headed Cote d’Ivoire to a 2-0 lead.
Drogba’s shot from 6 years out rattled the crossbar and bounced out to Romaric, who elevated to head Cote d’Ivoire to a two goal lead from eight yards out.
Cote d’Ivoire maintains a slim chance of advancing to the knockout stage but needs to reduce a now seven goal disadvantage in goal difference to Portgual. Portugal, currently drawn 0-0 with Brazil, must also lose.
Cote D’Ivoire is on the scoresheet early against North Korea, with midfielder Yaya Touré slotting home a shot from near the spot to give the Elephants a 1-0 lead in the 14th minute.
Touré received a pass from the left flank and opened his right foot on a shot that rolled into Ri Myong-Guk’s lower left hand corner.
Cote D’Ivoire has been able to maintain constant pressure from the match’s onset, registering five shots on goal in the first 15 minutes.
Cote d'Ivoire has a slim chance to qualify for the knockout stage, chances so slim that they will need to find other motivation for today's match with North Korea. To advance, Les Elephants would need to win, have Portugal lose and see a gap of nine in goal difference turned around.
That won't happen. Cote d'Ivoire needs to shift focus, which could entail making a difficult decision regarding their star player.
Cote d'Ivoire, Going Forward: It all depends on whether Didier Drogba plays, which he shouldn't. The guy has a broken arm. It's one thing to play him when the team is still alive to advance, in what might be his final World Cup. It's another thing when the match can't get you into the knockout round. Sven-Göran Eriksson needs to keep Drogba out.
If Drogba sits, Cote d'Ivoire likely starts the same team we saw against Portugal, where an attacking three of Salomon Kalou, Aruna Dindane and Gervinho offered little penalty area presence for the crosses put in by the likes of Ismael Tioté.
Against a back line of North Korea that plays wider, having five men in defense, it will be more difficult for the Ivorians to get their crosses in.
North Korea, Going Forward: The North Koreans should be able to generate counter attacking opportunities against Cote d'Ivoire, but with the possible exception of Kolo Touré, the Ivorian personnel sets-up well to handle those attacks. Yaya Touré will be the first line of defense, in a defensive midfield position. Didier Zokora, normally a defensive midfielder, has the mobility in central defense to keep up with the attacks, while Siaka Tiéné and Guy Demel are strong on at the wide positions.
North Korea is not restricted to counter attacks for their goal opportunities; however, having very little possession of the ball. the North Korean usually do not have many chances to build-up play.
How The Match Turns: North Korea could use this match as a way to reestablish a presence in the international footballing world. Their qualification for this tournament was viewed as a oddity, and although they played well against Brazil, the nation has still not won a World Cup match in 44 years. They will be more motivated than the Ivorians, and in a match that would have been close regardless, that motivation could be decisive.
World Cup 2010, Cote D'Ivoire Vs. North Korea: Ivorians Close World Cup Strong In 3-0 Win Over North Korea
Cote d’Ivoire’s 2010 World Cup is over, but with a 3-0 win Friday over North Korea, the Ivorians finished their tournament on a positive note, moving to four points, finishing one point behind Portugal in Group G.
The Ivorians got early goals from Yaya Touré and Romaric to give a slight hope that they would be able to turn around the nine goal difference that separated them from Portugal. Cote d’Ivoire, however, slowed their scoring rate, only scoring once throughout the match’s final 70 minutes, an outcome rendered meaningless when Portugal got the point they needed from Brazil.
Salomon Kalou came off the bench to add a late goal for Les Elephants, giving them a 3-0 victory.
The Ivorians had 10 shots and goal and held 66 percent of the possession, dominating from the opening kickoff, registering five shots on goal in the match’s first 15 minutes.
They finish the tournament with a 1-1-1 record, ultimately one goal against Portugal away from qualifying for the knockout round.
North Korea finishes the tournament losing all three of its matches, destined for the draw’s worst record, allowing 12 goals while scoring once. It was North Korea’s first World Cup appearance since 1966.
Jun 25 11:58a by Richard Farley - 0 comments