Point apiece for Ivory Coast and Portugal

Posted: Jun 15 2010

The highly-anticipated match between Ivory Coast and Portugal on Tuesday afternoon ended in a goalless draw - but it did not lack action.

Much attention was fixed on the world's most expensive player Cristiano Ronaldo after a disappointing Euro 2008.

He showed both sides to his character in the first half, getting Didier Zokora a yellow card with a dive, then a magnificent right foot thunderbolt which cannoned against the post much to the relief of the helpless Boubacar Barry in goal. Ironically, Ronaldo was later booked when Demel appeared to fell the Real Madrid attacker.

Thereafter the match threatened to descend into a rather ill-tempered affair, with a number of rash challenges on both sides. Clear-cut chances were few and far between as both sides lacked fluency. Ronaldo aside, all Portugal could muster were a couple of through balls which managed to elude Danny and Lièdson respectively.

The West Africans had a half-chance when Twente’s Cheik Tioté broke through midfield, but he failed to test Eduardo in the Portuguese goal. There was another sign of encouragement when Gervinho fortuitously squeezed between Pedro Mendes and Ricardo Carvalho, but Paolo Ferreira came across to avert the danger.

In the second period, Gervinho flashed a shot across goal from a tight angle which won a corner as the Ivory Coast started the first half on the front foot. It was Gervinho again who dinked a cross into the centre looking for Dindane, who just failed to reach the ball.

With no breakthrough forthcoming, Sven Goran Eriksson decided to lift the spirits of the crowd and hopefully his side with the introduction of Didier Drogba midway through the second half.

Drogba had a chance to give his side a win in stoppage, but he was only able to force the ball across goal where no teammate was waiting.

World Cup favourites Brazil are awaiting both these sides, they will need to show more urgency in the second period if they are to gain the upper hand in terms of qualification for the last sixteen.

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stan'Lee: 2010-06-15 18:16

Today the Elephants of CIV made the Portuguese team look so ordinary!!!
They stood their ground and played their game with no fear or over-rating on the CR-led team.
The Elephants took the shine off the star-studded Portuguese side with pacy, sublime ball possession and close marking.
Their ball control and possession was superb.
The Elephants did play like a unify team with so much discipline and strong determination.
I applaud their team spirit.
All they need to do is play another scintillating draw with Brazil and take 3 points from North Korea with a higher score line.
They are off to 2nd round...You never can tell....!!!
Go CIV...Go Elephants!!!!

God no dey sleep!!!!

stan'Lee: 2010-06-15 18:20

Today’s CIV draw against CR-led Portugal is another good song from another great African side.
Just like Ghana and South Africa.

The stage is now set for Nigeria, Cameroun and Algeria to follow suit respectively in their next matches.
Go on...Sing a good song!!!

VIVA Africa!!!

God no dey sleep!!!

stan'Lee: 2010-06-15 18:21

Today the Elephants of CIV made the Portuguese team look so ordinary!!!
They stood their ground and played their game with no fear or over-rating on the CR-led team.
The Elephants took the shine off the star-studded Portuguese side with pacy, sublime ball possession and close marking.
Their ball control and possession was superb.
The Elephants did play like a unify team with so much discipline and strong determination.
I applaud their team spirit.
All they need to do is play another scintillating draw with Brazil and take 3 points from North Korea with a higher score line.
They are off to 2nd round...You never can tell....!!!
Go CIV...Go Elephants!!!!

God no dey sleep!!!!

the namibian khosi : 2010-06-15 19:03

luck was not with them today,the elephents are so good to watch this days.they jst need 2 collect a point against brazil.

Connerstone: 2010-06-15 20:21

@Stan'Lee, true talk! Of all the African teams, I think the Cameroonian team was more pathetic than our own Super Eagles considering the oppositions both had to contend with. However, I do not agree with you that the Super Eagles showed too much respect to the Argentines. Come to think of it; the Black stars of Ghana and the elephants of Ivory Coast built on their tactical approach to the game hence they were both successful. As for our own Super Eagles, they had no tactical discipline and game plan until recently. Even the blind could see the difference in our approach to the game. The disadvantage is that we are starting from ground zero! Believe me, we will beat Greece silly on Thursday if we play positively again. Cheers!

Pinky Mbatha : 2010-06-15 20:36

It was realy a nice game, the west African warriors were good good. I'm looking forward to samba samba moves!

Mriyo (Trebble kings while marhurhurwanas pray for 1 cup): 2010-06-15 21:28

This was a match CIV shud hav won bt again a foregn coch had otha ideas,y r proven strikers played as wingers n right backs playd as defensiv midfildas,Aruna Dindane played as rite wing n Ebua playd in midfild,Zokora a centre back?R we playin 2 win or not 2 conceed n hop 4 da best.Ebua is finished even @ Asernal,jus kip him on da becnh,anyways a point is stil beta

afrika : 2010-06-15 21:48

Ivory Coast did very well even though they didn't get a win 2day, I blv they will progress to the next stage and their were better than pathetic Cameroon

Sechaba: 2010-06-16 00:45

Cameron is a shame to African Football. Viva SA, Ghana and Ivory Coast