Advertisement

Help
You are here: Rediff Home » India » Sports » Football Fiesta » Reuters > Report
Search:  Rediff.com The Web
  Discuss this Article   |      Email this Article   |      Print this Article

Ivorians under pressure against Dutch
Theo Ruizenaar
Get Sports updates:What's this?
Advertisement
June 15, 2006 17:17 IST
Ivory Coast are likely to start without playmaker Bonaventure Kalou in Friday's World Cup tussle with Netherlands in Stuttgart.

The experienced striker featured in the opening Group C match against Argentina, a 2-1 defeat, but was criticised by the media for his performance and is expected to give way to the fit-again Aruna Dindane.

The Ivorian fans and media believe their team can still have a successful campaign despite the losing start.

"Our people should reduce their enormous expectations," Kalou told reporters earlier this week.

"Netherlands have a better team. We are newcomers."

The Ivorians have strength in depth among their forwards in the shape of Kalou, Dindane, Didier Drogba [Images] and Arouna Kone.

Also Read


'Brazilian players enjoy their game'

Do you play Voetbal?

Wanna join Beckham's team

Images: The World Cup party

Indian debut at World Cup


Henri Michel's side must, however, make sure they do not leave themselves exposed at the other end against a Dutch side full of classy forwards.

Winger Arjen Robben produced arguably the best individual performance of the tournament so far in the Dutch team's 1-0 triumph over Serbia & Montenegro in Leipzig on Sunday.

ROBBEN RUNS

The darting runs of Robben are backed up by the talented Robin van Persie and top goal poacher Ruud van Nistelrooy [Images].

Coach Marco van Basten [Images] says his side will focus on their strengths rather than dwell on the attributes of the Ivorians.

"We have seen Ivory Coast in several matches, including the African Nations Cup earlier in the year," said Van Basten.

"They change lineups and styles so often it is no use trying to make adjustments. We will play our own game and my team knows exactly what to do."

Probable teams:

Netherlands:

1-Edwin van der Sar (110-0); 14-Johnny Heitinga (19-2), 13-Andre Ooijer (20-2), 4-Joris Mathijsen (9-0), 5-Giovanni van Bronckhorst (58-3); 18-Mark van Bommel (38-7), 20-Wesley Sneijder (24-5), 8-Philip Cocu (98-10); 17-Robin van Persie (11-1), 9-Ruud van Nistelrooy (52-27), 11-Arjen Robben (21-7)

Ivory Coast:

1-Jean-Jacques Tizie (25-0); 21-Emmanuel Eboue (12-0), 4-Kolo Toure (43-1), 3-Arthur Boka (24-1), 12-Abdoulaye Meite (18-0); 5-Didier Zokora (39-0), 2-Kanga Akale (23-3), 19-Gneri Yaya Toure (15-2), 15-Aruna Dindane (35-11); 18-Abdelkader Keita (27-6), 11-Didier Drogba (33-24)



  • Football Fiesta: Complete coverage

    © Copyright 2006 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of Reuters content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters. Reuters shall not be liable for any errors or delays in the content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon.
     Email this Article      Print this Article
    © 2006 Rediff.com India Limited. All Rights Reserved. Disclaimer | Feedback