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by theshot (2006-02-07 21:40:22)
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MATCHES AND RESULTS > SEMI FINALS Tags: Côte d'Ivoire
Semifinal #1 Nigeria - Côte d'Ivoire 0:1(0:0)
The 'Elefants' proved their flexibility with a different approach and setup.
The consequence: a less physical but more creative game of the two teams (compared to the Cameroon - CIV match).
The Nigerians, because of player material and style a little less flexible, have their attacking strengths in departments which collide with Ivorian strengths rather than their weaknesses. They stick to their typical 'brazilian' style, keeping the match open and strike in a sudden moment of brilliance.
This did not work out in the first half and so the Côte d'Ivoire had the clear majority of penalty area visits, still most of them could be contained as half dangerous by the Nigerian defence.
A long ball on Drogba surprised the Nigerians in the 47th minute. The Chelsea striker escaped and scored - 0:1
Nigeroia threw in Okocha who created some more dangerous situations. The idea to keep Nigeria with all their weapons scoreless seems ridiculous and the Ivorians drew too far back for some moments.
But they escaped a number of crossing attempts and a dangerous free kick situation and towards the end of the match improved very much on ball and time control.
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by theshot (2006-02-05 01:29:09)
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MATCHES AND RESULTS > QUARTER FINALS Tags: Côte d'Ivoire
quarterfinal #4 Cameroun - Côte d'Ivoire 1:1(0:0)(0:0) n.V. , E: 11:12
After a match in which the two sides neutralized each other except from a sudden eruption in extra-time. A penalty shoot-out to remember rounded up what was a tough battle of two African giants on the same level.
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by theshot (2006-01-26 22:17:13)
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MATCHES AND RESULTS > GROUP A Tags: Côte d'Ivoire
Group A #3 Libya - Côte d'Ivoire 1:2(1:1)
Only two goalkeeping errors by the Libyan substitute keeper prevented the Côte d'Ivoire from a shock result in their second group match.
The favorite began strong, took the lead through Drogba, and had additional goal scenes.
But in the feeling of superiority Libya was granted more and more space for their passing game.
Before halftime the problems in the Ivorian defence against crosses became evident again and Libya scored the equalizer through a header.
The second half saw continously growing confidence on one side and panic on the other. After one of the finest passing sequences of the whole tournament Libya hit the goalpost.
When Libya started to get tired a bit, the Ivorians scored through a header after a goalkeepiung and defence error (Yaya Touré)
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by theshot (2006-01-21 17:31:03)
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MATCHES AND RESULTS > GROUP A Tags: Côte d'Ivoire
Group A #2 Morocco - Côte d'Ivoire 0:1(0:1)
On a bumpy pitch only a fragmented game developed. Both teams with a careful approach in ball possession and thus constantly under pressure from opponents and the pitch.
Conspicious the problems of the Ivorian central defenders, though professionals with Arsenal London. Eboué and Kolo Touré looked especially odd at crosses, but most of the Moroccan attempts were mistimed.
Anyway, Youssef Hadji had three opportunities ('29, '53, '73), missing the target each time by a close margin. Two dangerous headers by Chamakh added to.
The Côte d'Ivoire had to play with out Aruna Dindane who left Egypt because of a familiy tragedy. They did look less compact and less creative than in the friendlies against France, Romania, and Italy.
The goal came from a penalty which Drogba converted perfectly after he was fouled ('38). Drogba had to be replaced after 60 minutes because of an apparent small injury.
The Ivorians only had had one other great chance before and few dangerous attacks against a crowded Moroccan defence which was never exposed, even towards the end of the match.
Both keepers looked odd when under (physical) pressure.
Refereeing confirmed the image of African refereeing has more problems with offside, many wrong decisions, always against the attackers, here the Côte d'Ivoire.
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by theshot (2006-01-18 00:18:40)
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PREVIEWS > GROUP A Tags: Côte d'Ivoire
PREVIEWS > Group A > Côte d'Ivoire
Almost at every Nations Cup. One time winner 1992. Tradition of spectacular football.
Europe comparisons: population and football level: Netherlands
Clubs: near top in Africa
Squad: all professionals at Europe. Most coming from a perfect education plan including an academy system at Abidjan and a second education phase at the Belgian club Beveren.
Coach: European. (Henri Michel, experienced World Cup coach with France, Cameroon, and Morocco).
On World level there are two African teams today which could go real far in a World Cup (considered they have the luck the Côte d’Ivoire did not have at the draw for Germany). Those two are Cameroon and Côte d’Ivoire. What the Ivorians lack is only the experience as a world level team. Apart from that they are already short before overtaking Cameroon which have to be ranked that high despite the World Cup failure, but who lack the depth of the academy educated classes the West Africans now have.
How intense the focus of the Ivorian players will be on the African championship with World Cup matches against Argentina, Netherlands, and Serbia on the horizon remains to be seen. Being only a one time winner (1992) it will not be low.
Stars: Drogba (Chelsea), Kolo Touré (Arsenal). Future stars: Yaya Touré (Olympiakos), a huge midfielder, resembling Viera, a little less dynamic but with huge technical and passing skills. Didier Zokora ‘Maestro’ (St.Etienne), defensive midfielder, either in the scope of every big European clubs or at least perfectly marketed by his management.
Conspicuous: Arthur Boka (Strassburg), a Roberto Carlos clone on the left, Yapi Yapo (Nantes), a midfielder with vision, Kalou (PSG), Dindane (Lens) and almost every player in the attacking department which could be easily filled for two World Cup squads (Aruna Koné, Bakari Koné, Kanga Akale, and those who will not be at Egypt like Abdelkader Keita (Lille), Cedric Konan (Lecce), Bakayoko (Livorno), Sanoo (Kaiserslautern), etc, etc).
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