Cote d’Ivoire To Perform The Greatest Miracle In South Africa?
The manner in which the Elephants of Ivory Coast killed their hopes of making an impact in the ‘Group of Death’ is disappointing. They showed good strength in their opening game against Portugal. The only thing that was missing was a goal. Perhaps Didier Drogba’s lack of fitness blew things off for Cote d’Ivoire, but the reality is now revealed and has to be faced.
A boring performance, well below the one they had put against Carlos Queiroz’ men, led them to a 3-1 defeat against Brazil. It was this defeat that crashed the Elephants from heaven to the ground, and one that was hard to take for Ivory Coast and pro-African supporters. In fact, what killed off Cote d’Ivoire’s hopes more than their 3-1 defeat to Brazil was Portugal’s 7-0 goal fest against Korea DPR. It seems the gates to the knock-out stage world are closed and well locked too now.
The goal difference and goals scored issues are two major factors used in this 2010 World Cup to determine the fate between teams finishing with the same number of points. These rules were applied in Group A for example where Mexico and South Africa both had 4 points at the end of Match-day Three. But South Africa had to bow out as their (-2) goal difference couldn’t match Mexico’s (+1) goal difference. Following Portugal’s emphatic victory over Korea DPR earlier this week, Group G has taken this shape:
Brazil – 6 points, +3
Portugal – 4 points, +7
Cote d’Ivoire – 1 point, -2
Korea DPR – 0 point, -8
Chances for Cote d’Ivoire to qualify are obviously very slim. It’s even worth saying that there’s no way, realistically, for their campaign to be back on track. The only team they can target now is Portugal; Brazil are out of their reach with 6 points. To reach the second phase of the 2010 World Cup, the Elephants will need Brazil to trounce European rivals Portugal while they will have to thrash North Korea simultaneously.
Two results that will put Cote d’Ivoire through, for example, are:
Korea DPR 0-6 Cote d’Ivoire
Portugal 0-4 Brazil, or Portugal 2-6 Brazil (a repeat of what occurred in a friendly match between both teams in 2008)
In such a case, Cote d'Ivoire will qualify with 4 points and a (+4) goal difference at the expense of Portugal since the 2006 World Cup semifinalists will only count 4 points and a (+3) goal difference.
So nothing is impossible, although no-one would expect Portugal to go home whereas the doors are wide open for a jump into the Round of 16. For Cote d’Ivoire’s Demel, there are no reasons to lose hope.
“One match is left for us to play. We owe it to ourselves, we have to win it and let’s hope events favor us. Nothing is over yet.”
