Can Cote d’Ivoire qualify from Group C?

June 7th, 2006 | by: Ade Lamidi |

This is the top dollar question that I have been asking myself over the past week. I believe they can only if they don’t lose to Argentina on Saturday.

As first timers in the World Cup you can’t afford to lose the first match. A draw will not be so bad whereas a win will give the team a lot of confidence going into the other two group matches. On the other hand if Cote d’Ivoire lose their first match there will be enormous pressure to get results against Serbia and Montenegro and Holland.

Franz Beckenbauer said yesterday that if Cote d’Ivoire qualify from their group then they can go all the way to the final. And rightly so. This is because from the second round, you are more or less playing a cup final which any team can win on the day.

The scenario for Cote d’Ivoire if they qualify first or second from Group C is as follows:-

They will play a team from Group D in the round of 16. i.e Mexico, Angola, Iran or Portugal.

They will play a team from Group A or B if the get past the round of 16 in the Quarter Finals. i.e England, Sweden, Germany, Poland, Ecuador etc

They can be drawn against any team if they get to the semi-final and that includes the likes of Brazil, Italy and Czech Republic.

And if they reach the finals, you just never know.

Cote d’Ivoire World Cup Team Blog RSS Feed

http://moralmilitia.blogspot.com Bhavesh Malani

All the best to Cote d’Ivoire. The team has the talent to make it out of the Group C, but chances are that it could come down to goal difference in such a tight group. I sincerely hope they make it, though.
http://tunisia.worldcupblog.org Bessam

Yes they can, Argentina is an amazing team. But playing this Ivory Coast team in a non friendly is like taking a punch straight to the face. These players are fearless, strong, and have played in big matches. Ivory Coast scares me, if they are playing well it can resemble the perfect storm. If Ivory Coast or any team win the cup, they would probably have to go through Argentina or Holland anyways, why not just do it now?

Ivory Coast knows what they will get when they play Argentina, it is Argentina who does not realize what they are in for. Same for Holland whom i think is weaker and should have used Davids and Seedorf.
http://www.worldcupzone.blogspot.com Ade

I agree with you Bessam. Ivory Coast are unknown and the Argentinians will not know what hit them. The Ivorians are just living a dream.
sukumar

I sincerely hope that Ivory Coast can win the first match or at least get a draw. It is not difficult to achieve this if Ivory Coast players can keep their head cool, observe strict discipline, don’t become nervous, don’t get red cards and make use of the scoring chances they get. The biggest problem with all African players is the lack of discipline. They commit fouls sometimes without any reason. They don’t understand that that getting two yellow cards or a red card means the end of their jorney. Discipline is a big problem with all African teams. Argetina has more experience, tradition of winning big matches, so they have an advantage. Bur Ivory Coast has great techical skills. Drogba, Dindane, Kalou in midfield and Toure and Eboue in the defence are all world class players who can match any Argentinian players. Ivory Coasts weaknesses are in the left flank of defence where Boka/Kouassi are not very reliable players and also goalkeeper isn’t very good. I hope Boka, Meite, Toure and Eboue can rise to the occassion to create a compact defense. Otherwise Ivory Coast has everything needed to win against Argentina. Also Ivory Coast players should not be nervous that they are playing in the world cup, nor be afraid of Argentina’s name and history. My best wishes to Ivory Coast. It’s time they make a permanent mark on world football. Remember Argentina were beaten by Cameroon in the world cup match. I wish Ivory Coast will repeat it.
dcdv

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I can easily see some players from Ivory Coast getting Red Card.

Posted from Hong Kong
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Don’t let him fool you with nonsense like that.
Ivory Coast will win the world cup deservedly!
dcdv

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I can easily see some players from Ivory Coast getting Red Card.

Posted from Hong Kong
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Sudhi

I can easily see some players from Ivory Coast getting Red Card.
JM

Ivory Coast dont stand a chance against Argentina, get real.. it’s just how many goal difference you are gonna loose.
TogoTom

Hey, no one mentions Serbia, but I think their credentials include winning their group over Spain and something like only allowing one goal in 10 games. Honestly, some people are predicting them and not Argentina to advance. In this division, somewhere, there are predictions saying every team will advance.

Just letting you know, don’t take Serbia and Montenegro lightly.