World Cup: Greece vs. Ivory Coast preview
By Chase Ruttig
Jun 4, 2014; Frisco, TX, USA; Ivory Coast forward Yao Kouassi (10) during the game against El Salvador at Toyota Stadium. Ivory Coast defeats El Salvador 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
It will be judgement day for two more teams in the 2014 World Cup group stages as Group C features another matchup that could be a “win and advance” situation when Greece looks to shake off a difficult start to their World Cup and make it through to the knockout stages with a win over the Ivory Coast, who need just a draw to advance after already beating Japan in their opening match before losing 2-1 to Colombia.
In fact, all four teams in Group C are technically still alive heading into Tuesday’s second set of final group stage matches, with a Nil-Nil draw between Japan and Greece allowing for the three countries to fight for the final spot in the Round of 16 out of the group after Colombia secured qualification with wins in both of their matches.
Ivory Coast will enter the day as the favorites to go through, only needing just a draw against a Greece side not known for scoring and one that already had troubles matching up with the pacy Colombian attack. That will also be an advantage for Ivory Coast, who have relied on the speed and dribbling of former Arsenal winger Gervinho amongst other world class attacking players to come from behind and beat Japan in their only group stage win. Facing a defensive based Greek squad, Ivory Coast holding the better attack and holding the trump card of needing just a draw to advance (unless Colombia shockingly lose by multiple goals to Japan) it appears that destiny lies in the hands of Africa’s best hope of a deep World Cup run on Tuesday.
Will captain Yaya Toure finally lead Ivory Coast to the knockout round? Or will Greece have a final group stage upset in their sleeves, much like they had for Russia in Euro 2012? Here is what you need to know about both countries chances on Tuesday.
Slide through for Greece and Ivory Coast previews as well as a match prediction: