Take the most successful team of the world, ever, the strongest team of Africa, and one of the most competitive European squads, put them all together, and what do you get? The group of death!
Brazil, Ivory Coast and Portugal cannot afford to take any match in group G lightly, including the one against the relatively weak North Korea, the 4th squad in the group.
Tuesday’s match between Portugal and Ivory Coast promises to be one of the hardest fought group matches and perhaps the most intriguing of all.
Ivory Coast coasted through their qualifiers with Drogba scoring six goals. In contrast, Portugal barely qualified having to engage in a play off with Bosnia.
Ivory Coast have suffered misfortune ahead of their opening match at the World Cup, with their star Didier Drogba fracturing his arm in a warm up against Japan.
Though he is said to be recovering after an operation, Drogba could sit the first match out.
Drogba is among the world’s best goal scorers, and his absence will hurt Ivory Coast who will look to another Chelsea star Salomon Kalou to keep the scoreboard ticking.
Ivory Coast manager Eriksson will rely on his strong midfield comprising Yaya Toure and Zakora, and speedy winger Eboue, apart from the in form Tiote who plays for Dutch champions FC Twente. If Drogba plays, they are likely to concentrate on feeding him.
Kolo leading the defence are other reliable players who have distinguished themselves for Ivory Coast, in the past, as is Arsenal full back, Emmanuel Eboue, who is coming off a successful club season.
Portugal have had their share of injury woes, their Manchester United winger Nani the latest casualty with a collarbone injury sustained in training. Benfica midfielder Ruben
Amorim has replaced Nani. This adds up to an additional load on Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo, the captain of the side. Ronaldo has not scored for Portugal since Euro 2008, and he will be desperate to end the goal drought.
Before his current goal drought began, Cristiano Ronaldo was considered by many as the world’s best player, with great dribbling skills, speed, and a happy penchant for scoring especially from set play situations.
Portugal will depend on Atletico Madrid winger Simao to reduce the pressure on his captain. Chelsea’s Ricardo Carvalho along with Pepe and Bruno Alves comprise a reliably strong defence.
Apart from an experienced midfield comprising Meireles, Deco and Mendes, Portugal has a solid defence, which will be bolstered further if Pepe is fully fit.
With a cloud over Drogba’s participation, Portugal enjoy a marginal advantage that is in turn offset by Ronaldo’s indifferent form. It’s hard to see a result in this match. Both teams might actually be happy to share points.