Can Cote d’Ivoire beat Argentina?

I am really getting excited about the Cote d’Ivoire V Argentina game which is less than 24 hours away.

There is a lot of talk already in the media leading up to this game and there are a lot of views.

My question to you all is can Cote d’Ivoire beat Argentina in this game? And how?

My view on this is Cote d’Ivoire can do it.

First of all, as it is our first game in the World Cup, we will need to play without fear and any emotion whatsover. Teams can get nervous easily and forget why they are on the pitch.

The Argentinians are a class act no doubt and the team named to play Cote d’Ivoire tomorrow is a very excellent one.

But I see weaknesses in this team. And I hope my team can exploit those weaknesses tomorrow.

Robert Ayala is an excellent defender but I think a quick paced centre forward like Drogba or Kone will give him and Gabriel Heinze a lot of problems.

I have seen both Sorin and Riquelme play for Villareal in the Champions League and they are both good players. Sorin is a quick paced left back that attacks down the wing. Eboue will have a job stopping this guy coming down the flanks.

Riquelme is the creative guy in the Argentina midfield and he will need to be stopped from bossing the midfield. Give that guy any space at all and he will murder your team. So both Yaya Toure and Didier Zokora have a big job to keep him quiet.

Also Cote d’Ivoire will need to use their strength fairly to let Argentina know that they are in a game. No mistimed tackles that can lead to yellow and red cards.

Crespo and Saviola are both dangerous and for Crespo playing against his club team mate Drogba should be interesting.

But the Ivorian team as a unit will need to keep both of them quiet. And that is going to be very difficult.

My prediction is 2-1 to the Ivorians in a closely contested match.