Colombia Beat Ivory Coast To Qualify

Colombia beat Ivory Coast 2 - 1 in a very entertaining Group C second 
match to go through to the round of 16 of the 20th Fifa World Cup in Brazil.

The match was very lively, as the two teams played attacking football, with each team determined to win, knowing that which ever team that wins the duel, will be the first to qualify for the next round.

Colombian boys were more dangerous of the two teams in counter attacks. On the 63rd minute James Rodriguez scored a header to give the Colombians a lead.

Both teams continued to play very well with the Africans pushing harder for an equalizer, but it was the South Americans that scored a second goal, after the Ivorian midfielder S. Die, was dispossessed of the ball not far from the Ivorian defence. Read also: melvinsports.blogspot.com

The substitute Juan Quintero, received a good pass thereafter and did not make mistake, in beating goalkeeper Barry for a 2 - 0 lead. Ivory Coast put up more pressure on their opponents, moments it yielded result when Gervinho scored a solo effort, after he wiggled his way through three defenders to score a beautiful goal.



Didier Drogba

After that inspite of the increased pressure to equalize, at the dying minutes of the match, the Colombians held on to their 2 - 1 lead and that was how it ended. The Africans still has a great chance of qualifying to the second round.

They have 3 points from two matches, while Greece and Japan have one point each. If Ivory Coast beat Greece in their remaining Group C match, they then qualify or if they play draw and Japan loss to Colombia or draw they will still qualify.

After beating Ivory Coast, the Colombia coach, Jose Pekerman, said about his country qualifying, ''It is, of course, a huge pleasure to see Colombia coming to this level.''

''First of all, we are at the World Cup after such a long period of time, and then having enjoyed consecutive victories with players, who are here for the first time, so they are all very positive situations for us.

''However, we cannot start thinking ahead of time or what might be coming later on,'' Mr Jose Pekerman added.

The Ivory Coast coach, Sabri Lamouchi, said that he was not obsessed with his superstar player Didier Drogba.

''I am not obsessed with Didier Drogba. If you look at the team, I have seen very interesting things from my players.

''My players did not deserve to lose, a draw would have been more deserved'' he said.

''It was a very experienced Colombian team who waited for us to make mistakes, unfortunately we made some and were hit in a hard way,'' he added. Read also: melvinsports.blogspot.com

Many people will disagree with his assesment that the Colombians waited for them to make mistakes. It was not like the Colombians played defensive game only, they were also hungry to score and win the match. Like I said earlier on, it was a game full of attacking options. Very entertaining.

The only difference was that South Americans, were better in counter attacks and they took their chances. I just hope that the Elephants have learnt a great deal of lesson from their mistakes and do better in their next match, which is against Greece. I wish them goodluck.