All doubts as to whether Colombia can score without star striker Radamel Falcao were blown away as they put three past former European champions Greece. Manager Joel Peckerman would have been delighted with the victory and will hope his charges continue in the same vein against Ivory Coast on Thursday. Peckerman played AS Monaco youngster James Rodriguez in the hole behind lone striker Teofilo Gutierrez and both players scored in the emphatic victory. Rodriguez especially looked very bright in attack and was involved in Colombia’s first two goals before netting the third himself. Wingers Juan Cuadrado and Victor Ibarbo, playing either side of Rodriguez also excelled, exposing the Greek defense with their pace and direct approach. Presently ranked 8th in the world, Colombia played the kind of football that prompted experts to tip them to top Group C. The central midfield duo of Abel Aguilar and Carlos Sanchez was not sorely tested by the Greeks but the Ivory Coast midfield will present another challenge entirely. With their pace and physicality, the Elephants would run riot if given the space to operate. All three points here and the Colombians will have one foot in the Round of 16.
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Fortunately or unfortunately, depending on your point of view, the same is true for the Ivoirians and they will look to secure a win against the most fancied side in the group. Ivory Coast came from behind to snatch all three points against Japan and will be confident of holding their own against their opponents at the Estadio Nacional Mane Garrincha in Brasilia. The Africans started against Japan with two of their most experienced players in Didier Drogba and Kolo Toure on the bench. However, the Elephants fell behind early to the Blue Samurai. Although the decision to play Bony eventually paid off, the Swansea striker was guilty of wastefulness in front of goal. In both 2006 and 2010, the Ivoirians finished the group stage with 4 points but failed to qualify. They will hope to do one better by getting something out of this match before looking to finish off with a win against Greece.
TEAM NEWS
Influential Inter Milan midfielder Freddy Guarin is available after serving a suspension and is expected to come in for Carlos Sanchez in the middle of the park. Teofilo Gutierrez impressed against the Greeks and should keep his place in the starting XI.
Ivory Coast manager Sabri Lamouchi has no injury or suspension worries ahead of his team’s second match in Brazil and he is likely to retain his starting lineup against Japan. However, one selection headache he might have is whether to persist with Bony up front or reinstate Drogba, who galvanized the team when subbed in, to lead the attack.
Probable Line ups
Colombia (4-4-1-1): Ospina; Armero, Zapata, Yepes, Zuniga; Aguilar, Sanchez, Ibarbo, Cuadrado; Rodriguez; Gutierrez
Ivory Coast (4-2-3-1): Barry; Boka, Zokora,Bamba, Auerier; Tiote, Die; Gervinho, Yaya Toure, Kalou; Bony
PREDICTION
There isn’t much to choose between the two sides. Colombia have guile and creativity while the Africans are powerful with the likes of Bony, Toure and Drogba. This could well end in a draw, a highly entertaining one with goals in it.
Colombia 2 – 2 Ivory Coast
