World Cup 2010 Comment: Ivory Coast Face The Impossible

In our World Cup Comment series, individual writers at Goal.com offer their views on the hot World Cup topics of the day with local expertise and a global outlook...

Many people in Ivory Coast may not be watching their team’s last game at the World Cup because they deem it a waste of time. Beating North Korea up to nine goals and still hope for a Brazil’s win over Portugal is just too dicey to lean on. Thinking the future is wiser!

After Ivory Coast’s promising feat over Portugal in their goalless draw opener, hope to see the Elephants create surprise at South Africa 2010 soared. Many soccer fans in Abidjan (largest city) dropped their grievances against the team and announced their new love for Didier Drogba and co. But Brazil, even though alerted some dread earlier on, squashed millions from the West African nation, leaving them gaping: “Will an African nation ever win the World Cup?”

Brazil’s 3-1 win over Ivory Coast practically halted the momentum local support was gathering for the Elephants. But this time, it didn’t come with frustration and bitterness like other times when Ivory Coast fumbled. A loss against great Brazil is justifiable, after all the boys performed well against Portugal.

But some hopes still linger that a miracle might happen tomorrow when Ivory Coast face off against already bombarded North Korea. Ivory Coast media envisage a situation where Drogba, Gervinho, Kader Keita and Aruna Dindane would press and crush down the Chollima’s defence line and pump in goals until the referee says it’s enough. If they can fill the basket more than Portugal did with seven goals, the door towards second round might jerk open, somehow.

But, will North Korea accept to be the garbage of South Africa 2010? Not likely! If they could hold five-time World Cup champions Brazil to a 2-1 in their opener, they might strive to save their face, closing their campaign well with Ivory Coast.

Both teams are likely to play for personal honours and nothing else, unless something unexpected happens. Ivory Coast will try to produce an encounter analogous with their opener against Portugal, in order to leave fans back home with the impression that they can be counted on. North Korea will want to wash off the scars and spots Portugal inflicted on them and leave the Rainbow Nation with a neater identity than what the media across the globe now assume of them.

However the situation, both teams know they now lack much importance and attention at the World Cup and so their confrontation will go with lighter hearts and lesser pressure. But the most important thing at the moment is watching those still on stage and planning the future, which starts from now, like Ivorians have probably begun to do.

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