Ivory Coast Have Too Much for Traditional Powers

Alex Caulfield is the Media Relations Officer of DC United and a regular contributor to Prost Amerika where his expertise and long standing love affair with English and world football suffuses his writing.

Because of his work for the MLS club, Alex only writes for us periodically now and only on matters not affecting Major League Soccer. However, when we were selecting our team of All Stars to write our World Cup previews, we were delighted when Alex accepted our invitation to return to the fold.

1.) Ivory Coast – A side that has boasts several Premier League stalwarts – Emmanuel Eboue, Kolo Toure, Solomon Kalou, and Didier Drogba amoung them – the Ivory Coast has risen to prominence in recent years and will prosper in the first World Cup on African soil. Led by former England manager Sven Goran-Eriksson, look for the Elephants to make a significant impact as surprise winners of Group G. Though Brazil and Portugal boast pedigree and vast experience in this competition, the Ivory Coast is laden with athletic talent that can cause opponents problems through wide play and direct attacking movement through the center. In this regard, most pundits hail Chelsea’s Drogba as Eriksson’s most prominent weapon, but Barcelona midfielder Yaya Toure is the engine room of this side. The 27-year-old is a destroyer in the center of the park, and his link play with Drogba and Kolou on the wing will be essential to the team’s overall success.

2.) Brazil – This is not your father’s Brazil. Manager Dunga has stamped his unmistakable mark on the side, and this is not a good thing for fans of the Samba style. Gone is the attacking flair associated with Ronaldo and Ronaldinho, replaced by the steady play of Gilberto Silva and Felipe Melo. While Luis Fabiano and Robinho are both lethal attacking options, this Brazilian team does not impress me. Dunga’s defensive style borders on draconian when repressing the ordinarily free-flowing movements of the side. Maicon and Danny Alves are the best attacking fullbacks in the world, but one wonders who much freedom they will enjoy under their domineering manager. Nevertheless, there is too much talent here for the South Americans to not progress, but this time Brazil will fail to do so as group winners. That said, in the knockout phase Dunga will have to unshackle his attack to win matches, and the overwhelming abilities of his players may just do the trick to advance Brazil deep into the tournament.

3.) Portugal – Despite the endless ability of Christiano Ronaldo, Portugal will not advance from Group G in South Africa. The Iberians will not lack offensive firepower behind the efforts of Ronaldo, Simao, and Liedson, but this side appears destined to ship goals. An aging backline composed of Ricardo Carvalho, Paulo Ferriera, and Miguel will not be enough to keep the Ivory Coast and Brazil from racking up goals. There is a blend of developing talent and experience in midfield, but ultimately Portugal will be sent packing at the conclusion of group play. Fans of the side will be left counting the days until Jose Mourinho takes over as national team boss.

4.) North Korea – There isn’t much to be written here, this team simply isn’t good enough. North Korea will not earn a single point in the 2010 World Cup. Yes, the side did well to qualify for the tournament, but total futility in South Africa will see the club on the first flight back east. Kim Kum-II is a promising attacking player at 22 years of age, but don’t count on Kim Jong-Hun’s men to score many goals (if at all).

Predictions:

1. Ivory Coast

2. Brazil

3. Portugal

4. North Korea