Argentina v Ivory Coast - Preview

Pressure builds on Argentina ahead of Ivory Coast clash

Argentina, dogged by the national shame of the early first round exit they made four years ago, were feeling the pressure ahead of the their first 2006 World Cup match in Hamburg on Saturday against Ivory Coast.

Ivory Coast's Chelsea team player Didier Drogba (C) celebrates his goal with other teammates during the first half of the knockout round football game between Ivory Coast and Libya at the African Nations Cup (CAN), 24 January 2006 in Cairo. AFP PHOTO ISSOUF SANOGO

The African nations cup finalist has nothing to lose on its first ever appearance in the finals and the Argentine players have been wary about the "Elephants" in their rare public appearances over the past week.

"Ivory Coast is a strong opponent physically with good quality players. We're not underestimating them," said midfielder Javier Mascherano.

Ivorian striker Didier Drogba (L), gives a press conference 09 June 2006 in Hamburg, with French head coach of the team Henri Michel. Ivory Coast begin their World Cup challenge on June 10 against Argentina. AFP PHOTO ISSOUF SANOGO

Coach Jose Pekerman appears to have successfully sown together a squad brimming with individual talent, correcting one of the flaws that afflicted the Argentinians in 2002.

Captain Juan Pablo Sorin described the squad as a band of "23 brothers".

Roma defender Leandro Cufre said: "We're really motivated and looking forward to the first match. We're stifling the anxiety with a great group," said.

But the 1978 and 1986 World Cup winners know that their first match is crucial for a revival in "Albiceleste" fortunes.

"We have to pass the first round to make plans for the World Cup. And passing the first round means not losing a match... so as not to repeat what happened in 2002," Sorin warned.

Child star

Argentinian player Lionel Messi plays with the ball during a atraining session at HerzogsPark trining camp in Herzogenaurach 05 June 2006. Argentina will face Ivory Coast 10 June 2006 in their fisrt match for the group C of the World Cup Germany 2006. AFP PHOTO / DANIEL GARCIA

Injury doubts still surround 19-year-old Barcelona striker Lionel Messi, who has been tipped by World Cup organiser Franz Beckenbauer as the likely star of the tournament and hailed by Diego Maradona as his successor.

Argentinean head coach Jose Pekerman watches his team during a training session at HerzogsPark in Herzogenaurach 05 June 2006. Argentina will face Ivory Cost on June 10 in their first match for the group C of the World Cup Germany 2006. AFP PHOTO / DANIEL GARCIA

With Chelsea's Hernan Crespo, Inter's Julio Cruz and Javier Saviola at hand, as well as attacking midfielder Juan Riquelme, Pekerman is more likely to ease his inexperienced young prodigy into the game from the bench than in the starting line-up.

Spearheaded by Chelsea's prolific striker Didier Drogba, Ivory Coast's team is made up almost uniquely of players from European leagues, steadied by former France stalwart Henri Michel, one of the most experienced World Cup coaches.

Michel is adamant that one of Africa's surprise qualifiers has the means to respond in kind to Argentina's penetrating strikeforce.

"We know the importance of the first match in a World Cup, especially against Argentina. Often the result determines the behaviour of the teams for the rest of the tournament," Michel said.

"I'm confident about their ability, now it's a question of seeing how they react to the event."

"I hope anyway they that they'll overcome the feeling of what a World Cup debut represents... and that the team will recover the full range of their ability, which can rival anyone else's," added the 57-year-old, who guided France to the 1986 World Cup semi-finals and the Olympic side to the 1984 title.

Probable Teams

Argentina

Abbondanzieri - Burdisso, Ayala, Heinze, Sorín - Mascherano, Cambiasso, Rodríguez, Riquelme - Saviola and Crespo. Coach: Jose Pekerman

Ivory Coast

Tizie - Eboue, Meïte, K. Toure, Boka - Zokora, Y. Toure - Keita, Kalou, Akale - Drogba. Coach: Henri Michel (Fra)

Referee

Frank de Bleeckere (BEL)