EXCLUSIVE: World Cup 2010: Don’t Expect Miracles From Guus Hiddink – Ivory Coast Sports Analyst

Amid a number of problems, Ivory Coast’s national team face off against South Korea this afternoon in London for their first World Cup warm-up match. Top Ivorian sports analyst Armand Kan tells Goal.com what he expects of this encounter and how the Elephants are faring.

Goal.com: What is the importance of this match?

Armand Kan: It is a good opportunity for Drogba and his comrades to attempt reconciliation with the Ivorian fans following their recent debacle at Angola 2010. It is also important that Ivory Coast assess their real worth before the World Cup.

Goal.com: South Korea, just like their northern neighbours North Korea, whom Ivory Coast will face at the World Cup, play pacy football. How can the Elephants counter this Asian style?

Armand Kan: Before anything the Ivorian coach must correct the deficiencies in the defence. Ivory Coast's defence is weak and rigid. Now facing fast Asian football, the Elephants can move in trying to maintain control of the ball. You can't lose too many balls against South Korea or you’re dead. Drogba and co must remain focused to avoid being countered because the Asians are too good at that. If Ivory Coast can do this, they can also deliver a good match.

Goal.com: Up till now no list of the line-up for this match has been released by the Ivorian FA and we don’t really know who will be coaching the team. What’s happening?

Armand Kan: There's no doubt that all the stars will be present. With just a few hours to the game, the squad will have little variation, with the likely return of Sevilla’s Romaric and Marc Zoro. Concerning the coach, Guus Hiddink’s name is circulating widely in the sport media; though he is yet to be confirmed by the FA. But for now, I think assistant coach Georges Kouadio will be handling the team for the South Korea friendly. However, the players are more concerned with this match, and it won’t matter who’ll be coaching, they already know what to do.

Goal.com: Do you agree with the sacking of Vahid Halilhodzic? What miracles can Guus Hiddink deliver with three months to the World Cup?

Armand Kan: I am one of those who think the Drogba generation doesn’t have a coaching problem. The Ivorian team has a bigger problem. Guus Hiddink will do his best but we can’t expect a miracle.

Goal.com: Drogba said on Saturday via phone at the televised sports conference in Abidjan that he has no problem with Barcelona’s Yaya Toure, which many Ivorians say is one of the problems of the team. If not that, what’s really the problem of the team?

Armand Kan: In fact, Drogba ended up talking about ego problems between him and Yaya Toure and that exposes it all. I think that the Elephants are big personalities who can overcome personal problems and just play their matches to honour themselves and their country. A team with a lack of solidarity isn’t a team.

Goal.com: What will be the score?

Armand Kan: A victory for Ivory Coast would be great for the team and local fans, but since the Elephants have been a team that cracks before great football nations during the last minutes, even in a friendly match I would suggest a draw with goals.