Write-up by Suresh Iyer
Get the most productive group of the globe, at any time, the strongest team of Africa, and one of the most aggressive European squads, put them all collectively, and what do you get? The group of death!
Brazil, Ivory Coast and Portugal cannot manage to take any match in group G lightly, including the one in opposition to the fairly weak North Korea, the 4th squad in the group.
Tuesday’s match involving Portugal and Ivory Coast guarantees to be 1 of the most difficult fought group matches and possibly the most intriguing of all.
Ivory Coast coasted by means of their qualifiers with Drogba scoring six ambitions. In contrast, Portugal barely qualified getting to engage in a play off with Bosnia.
Ivory Coast have endured misfortune ahead of their opening match at the World Cup, with their star Didier Drogba fracturing his arm in a warm up against Japan.
Although he is stated to be recovering following an operation, Drogba could sit the 1st match out.
Drogba is amongst the world’s best objective scorers, and his absence will damage Ivory Coast who will look to an additional Chelsea star Salomon Kalou to preserve the scoreboard ticking.
Ivory Coast supervisor Eriksson will depend on his robust midfield comprising Yaya Toure and Zakora, and speedy winger Eboue, apart from the in sort Tiote who plays for Dutch champions FC Twente. If Drogba plays, they are likely to concentrate on feeding him.
Kolo top the defence are other trustworthy gamers who have distinguished themselves for Ivory Coast, in the previous, as is Arsenal full back again, Emmanuel Eboue, who is coming off a productive club season.
Portugal have had their share of harm woes, their Manchester United winger Nani the newest casualty with a collarbone injuries sustained in teaching. Benfica midfielder Ruben
Amorim has replaced Nani. This adds up to an added load on True Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo, the captain of the aspect. Ronaldo has not scotred for Portugal because Euro 2008, and he will be desperate to finish the goal drought.
Just before his existing goal drought started, Cristiano Ronaldo was deemed by a lot of as the world’s finest player, with wonderful dribbling expertise, speed, and a content penchant for scoring specially from set play conditions.Portugal will rely on Atletico Madrid winger Simao to lessen the stress on his captain. Chelsea’s Ricardo Carvalho alongwith Pepe and Bruno Alves comprise a reliably powerful defence.
Apart from an skilled midfield comprising Meireles, Deco and Mendes, Portugal has a stable defence, which will be bolstered further if Pepe is completely match.
With a cloud around Drogba’s participation, Portugal take pleasure in a marginal benefit that is in turn offset by Ronaldo’s indifferent form. It is hard to see a end result in this match. Equally teams may truly be content to share factors.
About the Author
For the newest sports gossip and information you will not find wherever else on the World wide web, and to obtain a Totally free E-book on the 2010 FIFA Entire world Cup, click http://www.cricinfosite.com
Suresh Iyer is an avid sports activities fan and blogger.