adminBRASïLIA. — Colombia are planning to rely on a possession game to combat the speed and power of Ivory Coast when the two sides meet in Brasilia today.
The match kicks-off at 6pm.It is a Group C match in which there is everything to gain for two sides that began their World Cup soccer campaigns with victories.
Colombia top the group after a dominant 3-0 victory over Greece, while Ivory Coast hit back from a goal down to beat Japan 2-1.
The Japanese struggled to make their high-tempo, high-energy game-plan work against the Africans but Colombia midfielder Fredy Guarin says the South Americans will look to bypass the physical advantages of the Elephants by making the ball do the work.
The Inter Milan player said Colombia were “ready” and “looking forward” to the match against opponents who are “powerful and very fas”.
“They’re a very physically strong team who fight for every ball and will rely on their physicality to try to beat us, but with our football, our passing and control of the ball we can have success,” said the 27-year-old.
“To beat them we have a plan and we mustn’t have any doubts about that plan. We have to be very intelligent, always keep the game under control, don’t give the ball away and take a breather with the ball, but above all have confidence in what we’re doing.”
A victory for either side would potentially secure their passage into the last 16, depending on the result between Japan and Greece, but although he didn’t say as much, Guarin suggested Colombia would be happy to settle simply for a clean sheet.
“Our concentration was very important against Greece. It was important to secure the zero (goals conceded) because the whole team fulfilled the defensive strategy,” said Guarin.
The physical approach Ivory Coast are likely to bring could include the presence of Didier Drogba up front after his game-changing entry off the substitutes’ bench against Japan.— AFP.
Online Reporter