World Cup: Greece vs. Ivory Coast preview

Jun 19, 2014; Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, BRAZIL; Japan forward Yoshito Okubo (13) takes down Greece forward Giorgos Samaras (7) during the second half of their 0-0 tie in a 2014 World Cup game at Estadio das Dunas. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports

Greece 

MLS Content: None

World Cup Record: One draw, one loss 1pt, -3 GD (3-0 loss to Colombia, Nil-Nil draw with Japan)

Player to Watch: Georgios Samaras 

Playing in the slowly dying SPL at legendary Scottish club Celtic, most fans of the game only get to see Samaras in the Champions League or in international tournaments for Greece, but when people get to catch a glimpse of him they can’t help but be amazed by the dribbling ability of a player who also steps up his quality for the big moments.

Club supporters often criticize Samaras for being an inconsistent player because of the difference in his play from match to match, but for those who only see Samaras in matches where the 29 year old free agent is putting in a full effort it is hard to see why more don’t consider him to be underrated. His runs with the ball are majestic, and being six foot four makes him dangerous in the box on set pieces. Essentially, Samaras is all you would want in a forward when he is playing as hard as he can for you.

Yet despite all of his highlight reel dribbling runs setting up counter attacks for both Celtic and Greece, Samaras has a recent goalscoring record that doesn’t suit his performances and highlights his inconsistent play. In 13 appearances for Greece over the last two seasons Samaras has yet to score, a stat that explains why the Greeks struggle to score in most of their matches.

Lacking a reliable striker, Greece will need a magical performance from their best attacking player against an Ivory Coast squad that has defenders that Samaras can break down and beat on the dribble. If he can just finish one of his brilliant runs through the midfield and into the opponent’s box just once, there might be hope for Greece.

Key to the Match: Finding a goal 

It is simplistic, but with just one point and a -3 goal differential there is no way around it for Greece in the final match of their 2014 World Cup group stage. To stay in the tournament, a side that has troubles scoring in every match they play is going to have to put the ball in the back of the net. Potentially more than once as they will be going up against an opponent that has more dangerous attackers than they could dream of having.

Greece have the defending to keep opponent’s from scoring at all costs, and the goals they conceded against Colombia were a reflection of just how difficult it is to break down the Greeks. A deflection off a defender and a flick on to the back post on a set piece were Greece’s two breakdowns against Colombia, and they should feel confident that they will be able to stay within reach in this match.

Making their bed with a Nil-Nil draw against Japan where they were forced to park the bus after a first half red card sent them down to 10 men, Greece now know that they will need to find goals. Something that is easier said than done with the aging Theofanis Gekas and the unproven Konstantinos Mitroglou both showing an inability to finish to date. Not even set pieces, a strength of the offensively challenged squad, have been able to produce a goal through their 180 minutes of play in Brazil. That will need to change if they want to secure the three points, a big question that might not be able to be answered by Greece.

Prediction 

It is hard to see past Ivory Coast in this match. Other than the world class defending that Greece shows in match after match, Ivory Coast holds an advantage in skill as well as athleticism that should give the underdogs too much to handle. You can’t count out the Greeks when pushed against a wall, something that Russia learned in Euro 2012, but Les Elephants two World Cup shortcomings in tough draws in 2006 and 2010 have motivated them to make their Brazil stay their longest one to date.

Ivory Coast advance with a 1-1 draw.