Tough road ahead for Eriksson and Ivory Coast at World Cup, next up Brazil

Tough road ahead for Eriksson, Ivory Coast

PORT ELIZABETH, South Africa — The 2010 World Cup was set up as Sven-Goran Eriksson’s personal vengeance mission, and after Ivory Coast’s opening draw against Portugal, he already has a measure of satisfaction.

The Ivory Coast was drawn to face Portugal and Brazil in its opening two group games — the nations that dramatically dumped Eriksson’s England out of the past two World Cups.

Ivory Coast drew with Portugal 0-0 on Tuesday, the same score England had against the Portuguese in the 2006 quarterfinals. But while Eriksson left that 2006 game crushed after a penalty shootout defeat, he wore a grin after Tuesday’s match.

“We will enjoy today and we will see,” Eriksson said before returning to his hotel to watch the Brazil-North Korea match on television. “Today we met No. 3 (Portugal) in the FIFA rankings, next time it’s No. 1.”

That No. 1 is Brazil, and Eriksson’s first opportunity at a World Cup to avenge the 2-1 defeat the Brazilians inflicted on England at the 2002 quarterfinals, thanks to Ronaldinho’s famous long-range shot over England goalkeeper David Seaman.

However, Eriksson claims personal revenge is not foremost in his mind.

“No, not at all,” he said. “Four years ago we were a little unlucky and we could not put penalties in, but that’s life. I do not think about that any more.”

Having watched Seaman’s gaffe firsthand, Eriksson expressed sympathy for current England goalkeeper Robert Green, who similarly botched an easy save in England’s 1-1 draw with the United States.

“England were unlucky,” Eriksson said. “Robert Green was very unlucky and I felt very sorry for him because he must feel awful to do what he did.”

Eriksson’s Ivory Coast may be boosted for the game against Brazil by the availability of Didier Drogba from the start. The Chelsea striker came on as a second-half substitute against Portugal despite breaking his right arm just 11 days before in a friendly match with Japan.

Drogba, who wore a light cast against the Portuguese, was unsure if he could start against Brazil.

“Wow, it’s going to be difficult,” Drogba said. “But I will have three days to improve my condition.”