Jumbo task for Argentines

Argentina are also talking confidently ahead of the game at the AOL Arena in Hamburg with two more tough Group C games to come in the shape of Serbia & Montenegro and the Netherlands. However, the memory of Cameroon in 1990 still hangs over the Argentines who are fully aware that Diego Maradona’s title holders lost 1-0 in the opening match of the Italy tournament.

Ivory Coast defender Kolo Toure knows all about that match but said they would not underestimate their opponents. “We all know how dangerous Argentina are. It will be a great test for us. (Roberto) Ayala is a hero of mine.”

Ivory Coast know they must reach the last eight to emulate the achievement of Cameroon in 1990 and Senegal in 2002. Argentina will be happy if they can repeat their opening result in Japan in 2002 when they beat another African team, Nigeria, 1-0 with a Gabriel Batistuta header. Argentina’s highest World Cup scorer has handed over the striking role to his perennial reserve Hernan Crespo, who has said the worst experience of his footballing life was their country’s shock early exit from the last tournament. It is this memory that drives coach Jose Pekerman’s new Argentina as they set out to win a third title.

“We have a debt which is to take Argentina as high as possible,” said Argentina’s captain Juan Pablo Sorin.

Argentina appear set to take the game to Ivory Coast with Javier Saviola as Crespo’s strike partner and Maxi Rodriguez on the right wing looking to get behind the defence. They may have problems on the left flank, though, where right back Emmanuel Eboue loves to make attacking runs that will put pressure on Sorin and Gabriel Heinze.

TEAMS

Argentina

Goalkeepers: Roberto Abbondanzieri (1), Leonardo Franco (12) & Oscar Ustari (23)

Defenders: Roberto Ayala (2), Juan Sorin (3), Fabricio Coloccini (4), Gabriel Heinze (6), Lionel Scaloni (13), Gabriel Milito (15), Leandro Cufre (17) & Nicolas Burdisso (21)

Midfielders: Esteban Cambiasso (5), Javier Mascherano (8), Juan Riquelme (10), Pablo Aimar (16), Maxi Rodriguez (18) & Luis Gonzalez (22)

Forwards: Javier Saviola (7), Hernan Crespo (9), Carlos Tevez (11), Rodrigo Palacio (14), Lionel Messi (19) & Julio Cruz (20)

Ivory Coast

Goalkeepers: Jean-Jacques Tizie (1), Gerard Gnanhouan (16) & Barry Boubacar (23)

Defenders: Arthur Boka (2), Kolo Toure (4), Blaise Kouassi (6), Abdoulaye Meite (12), Marc Zoro (13), Cyrille Domoraud (17) & Emmanuel Eboue (21)

Midfielders: Kanga Akale (3), Didier Zokora (5), Emerse Fae (7), Gilles Yapi Yapo (10), Kader Keita (18), Yaya Toure (19), Guy Demel (20) & Romaric (22)

Forwards: Bonaventure Kalou (8), Arouna Kone (9), Didier Drogba (11), Bakary Kone (14) & Aruna Dindane (15)

–Rex Gowar