GERMANYl: SOCCER / FOOTBALL - Ivory coast squad arrive at their hotel in Hamburg ahead of their World Cup game against Argentina, team press conference
Record ID:
182430
GERMANYl: SOCCER / FOOTBALL - Ivory coast squad arrive at their hotel in Hamburg ahead of their World Cup game against Argentina, team press conference
- Title: GERMANYl: SOCCER / FOOTBALL - Ivory coast squad arrive at their hotel in Hamburg ahead of their World Cup game against Argentina, team press conference
- Date: 10th June 2006
- Summary: SEMI CLOSE UP :OF HENRI LEAVING
- Embargoed: 25th June 2006 13:00
- Keywords:
- Topics: Sports
- Reuters ID: LVADI0BWQTU1K9RNSQWV4XQF5QAE
- Story Text: Ivory Coast are the latest African team who believe they can take a shot at glory starting with an upset win over Argentina on their World Cup debut.
"We are here to fight for the first match, we know the importance of the first match in the competition, and we shall do everything in our power to succeed. I don't have very much more to add, unless it is that we are very motivated, we are very confident at the moment. Now it is up to us to face this first game. That is essential for the majority of the players, which isn't necessarily the easiest thing to do," coach Henri Michel said at a news conference in Hamburg on Friday (June 9).
They fancy their chances of beating twice world champions Argentina on Saturday (June 10) and going on to bigger things in their first appearance at the world's showpiece tournament.
"It's going to be a tough game, a difficult game but - they want to win, we want to do something special for our first competition," captain Didier Drogba said of the match.
Ivory Coast know they must reach the last eight to emulate the achievement of Cameroon in 1990 and Senegal in 2002.
"There will be seven matches only. After seven matches we could be World Champions. Seven matches, that doesn't seem to be that much, but it will take a lot of engagement and really a whole lot of commitment. It will not be easy, but anyway we are allowed to dream, aren't we," Drogba added.
African nations have been threatening for years to upset the established hierarchy and the Ivorians aim to pick up the baton held by Senegal who reached the quarter-finals four years ago.
The Ivorians will later play Netherlands in Stuttgart on June 16 and Serbia and Montenegro in Munich on June 21. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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