World Cup 2010 Game Previews – 6/15/2010

Written by Aaron on June 14, 2010 – 10:42 pm -

Hello there! If you are new here, you might want to subscribe to the RSS feed for updates from PlayaHatin.com

Ivory Coast Portugal Group G – Game 1

Ivory Coast vs. Portugal

ESPN – 10:00 AM ET

Ivory Coast:

After the draw into Group G, Ivory Coast were staring a tough road right in the eyes. Many consider Group G “The Group Of Death” and many couldn’t decide who would advance alongside Brazil. Ivory Coast were looking very strong coming into the tournament, fielding one of the best players in the world in the form of Chelsea front man, Didier Drogba. Going by the nickname, Les Elephants the team from the host continent were looked upon as the most likely to perform well in 2010. Ivory Coast won their qualifying group without losing a single game. They play fast, aggressive, attacking soccer and they’re really a joy to watch. But, an injury to Drogba during a friendly against Japan a few weeks ago has many doubting this Ivory Coast team and can change the run of form they’ve been having.

More after the jump…

Ivory Coast’s key players:

Didier Drogba: As mentioned above, the star striker was injured a few weeks back in a friendly against Japan. Drogba, the captain has since had surgery on his broken elbow and will try to gut it out against Portugal in a specially made cast. The question will be if Drogba, who relies on a physical, body to body type of play, can pick up where he left off with the awkward cast. The 32 year old super star is the all-time leading goal scorer for Ivory Coast, netting 44 goals in 67 games. Drogba also netted 29 goals and was a main cog in Chelsea’s run to the English Premier League Championship. If Drogba doesn’t play, Ivory Coast will have a hard time winning any games.

Yaya Toure: The stud defensive midfielder for Barcelona will be a force that no one in this group wants to run up against. If Drogba can’t go, Toure will become the leader on the field with his wealth of experience. Toure played in the 2006 World Cup and showed very well as a strong defender and an even better distributor out of the midfield. Toure does have the ability to strike goals from distance, and he’s always a threat on set pieces. Also, look out for his little brother, Kolo Toure to shine in his first World Cup playing in front of his older brother for a strong midfield.

Portugal:

The team that seems to have it all together, but can never make that big splash at the World Cup. With a wealth of talent, this team should have the same expectations; To advance deep into this tournament. With one of, if not the best player in the world sporting the green and red, Portugal should be a favorite to advance alongside Brazil from the group of death. Portugal, ranked number 3 in the most recent FIFA rankings have a lot to prove to themselves, and everyone else in the world who doubts their all flash, no substance results. Barely qualifying for the World Cup on aggregate should be enough of a wake up call to Cristiano Ronaldo & co.

Portugal’s key players:

Cristiano Ronaldo: Just like many of the “worlds best” players, Ronaldo has had a knack of performing much better for his club than his country. Ronaldo hasn’t scored a goal for his national team in over a year and a half, but he netted 29 goals for Real Madrid this season. If he wants to assert himself as the best player in the world, it all depends on how he performs and how far this Portugal team can go. He’s a great performer and simply dazzling to watch with the ball at his feet. His free kicks are a thing of pure beauty, but he can be a little to “Hollywood” at times and gets a bad rap for his eccentric persona. Here’s hoping the great player we all know shows up to this World Cup.

Liedson: The 32 year old striker nicknamed, Levezinho (Slender One) Is not the biggest guy out there, but he will outwork anyone on the pitch. This is his first major opportunity for his national team and he looks to show what he’s been doing for his club, Sporting CP since 2003. Liedson has notched 111 goals in 200 appearances for his club and looks to show his ability to finish to the rest of the world. Liedson and Ronaldo will form one of the best attacks you will see in this World Cup. This guy is one of my breakout players of the tournament – a big performance will likely get him a high dollar move to a top 5 club.

Predictions:

Aaron York: (Portugal 3 – Ivory Coast 1) I think the Ivory Coast players will be waiting for Drogba to save the day like he always does, and Ronaldo will just pick them apart.

Taylor Fugate: Portugal 3 - Ivory Coast 2

Playa Hatin’