Brazil seek quick progress as Ivory Coast bank on Drogba

JOHANNESBURG - Brazil could book their place in the last 16 with a victory over Ivory Coast but will have to raise their game against the Africans following a tepid 2-1 win over North Korea in the football World Cup.

Sven Goran Eriksson’s side will be a truer test of whether the Brazilians have what it takes to claim a sixth World Cup title.

Ivory Coast captain Didier Drogba is thought likely to return to the starting line-up for Sunday’s Group G match at Soccer City, Johannesburg after coming off the bench in the opening draw with Portugal.

Brazil, meanwhile, are likely to be unchanged from the side that defeated North Korea.

Brazil have won all five of their previous meetings with African sides at World Cups without conceding a goal, and victory over Ivory Coast would ensure progress from the group with a game to spare.

Following their goalless draw with Portugal, Ivory Coast need at least to avoid defeat to keep their hopes alive before playing North Korea in their final match.

“If we defend well, we should be able to get a good result,” Ivory Coast defender Emmanuel Eboue said.

“Every player feels very, very well and we’ve got confidence in ourselves,” Eboue said. “If Drogba plays, it will be very great for us.”

Drogba, who played 25 minutes against Portugal with his fractured elbow in a protective cast, has trained all week and Eriksson indicated he would start.

“Do not be surprised if Drogba starts the next game against Brazil,” said Eriksson.

“He made a valuable contribution when he was on the pitch against Portugal. He is an important player in the team and his health has improved markedly.”

Brazil’s trio of Inter Milan players - keeper Julio Cesar, centre-back Lucio and right-back Maicon - know what it takes to snuff out Drogba after limiting his opportunities when Inter sent Chelsea out of the Champions League last season.

Drogba’s frustration boiled over in the second leg when he was sent off in the 87th minute for a foul on Thiago Motta.

“Drogba didn’t do much in the first leg because Lucio had a marvellous game and practically marked him out of the game,” said Julio Cesar.

“In the second leg he also had few opportunities and he was sent off in the end.”

But the keeper added: “It will be a difficult game because Ivory Coast are a very physical team and we will have to be very careful with their counter-attacks.”

Brazil striker Nilmar said the selecao would be going for victory to secure an early place in the last 16.

“We gained confidence with the first victory and we need another one now to guarantee a place in the next round,” he said.

“We can do it in advance, so we need to try to go for it.”

Eriksson, meanwhile, remains quietly confident his side can upset the Brazilians.

“It is going to be a difficult game, but looking at what we did against Portugal, we are capable of creating a surprise,” he said.