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 038; Montenegro and the Netherlands. However, the memory of Cameroon in 1990 still hangs over the Argentines who are fully aware that Diego Maradona8217;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. 8220;We all know how dangerous Argentina are. It will be a great test for us. Roberto Ayala is a hero of mine.8221;

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. Argentina8217;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 country8217;s shock early exit from the last tournament. It is this memory that drives coach Jose Pekerman8217;s new Argentina as they set out to win a third title.

8220;We have a debt which is to take Argentina as high as possible,8221; said Argentina8217;s captain Juan Pablo Sorin.

Argentina appear set to take the game to Ivory Coast with Javier Saviola as Crespo8217;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 12 038; Oscar Ustari 23

Defenders: Roberto Ayala 2, Juan Sorin 3, Fabricio Coloccini 4, Gabriel Heinze 6, Lionel Scaloni 13, Gabriel Milito 15, Leandro Cufre 17 038; Nicolas Burdisso 21

Midfielders: Esteban Cambiasso 5, Javier Mascherano 8, Juan Riquelme 10, Pablo Aimar 16, Maxi Rodriguez 18 038; Luis Gonzalez 22

Forwards: Javier Saviola 7, Hernan Crespo 9, Carlos Tevez 11, Rodrigo Palacio 14, Lionel Messi 19 038; Julio Cruz 20

Ivory Coast

Goalkeepers: Jean-Jacques Tizie 1, Gerard Gnanhouan 16 038; Barry Boubacar 23

Defenders: Arthur Boka 2, Kolo Toure 4, Blaise Kouassi 6, Abdoulaye Meite 12, Marc Zoro 13, Cyrille Domoraud 17 038; 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 20 038; Romaric 22

Forwards: Bonaventure Kalou 8, Arouna Kone 9, Didier Drogba 11, Bakary Kone 14 038; Aruna Dindane 15

8211;Rex Gowar