World Cup Preview: Brazil versus Ivory Coast
In each team’s second game of group play of the 2010 World Cup, Brazil is scheduled to face the Ivory Coast on June 20. The match will take place at Soccer City Stadium in Johannesburg, South Africa, at 2:30 PM ET. The teams are a part of Group G.
The Ivory Coast squad is loaded with big names and they have generated a great deal of buzz heading into the tournament. They are the most likely candidate to become the first African team to reach the finals of the World Cup in its 80-year history.
A major factor in determining the Ivory Coast’s chances will be the status of forward Didier Drogba. He broke his arm in a his team’s final Friendly against Japan on June 4. He has stated that he will not play in the tournament, but his team has not ruled it out.
Should Drogba play, Brazilian fans can take solace in a match between his club, Chelsea, and
Inter Milan in a Champion’s League Match. Brazilian captain Lucio played for Inter in the match, and the defender was a big reason for his team’s victory. He led a defensive unit that made Drogba a non-factor in the match.
Brazil is the number one-ranked team in the world and is the favorite out of what is considered the toughest group. They are accustomed to successful World Cup tournaments and there is no question they will be prepared for the Ivory Coast regardless of whether Drogba plays or not.
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