World Cup: Brazil vs Ivory Coast – 1st half

By Michael Vass | June 20, 2010

Well there was much expected in this match. So far everyone is still waiting and expecting.

Neither team was especially good or remarkable in the first half. Control of the ball was about even, as was the play on each side of the pitch. There was in fact very little to either complain of praise either team for.

That in itself might be the biggest compliment for Ivory Coast. Brazil is giving them respect. Enough that they are playing a very patient and slow game. There has been no real challenges or presses thus far.

But the negatives for the match so far do exist. Ivory Coast is failing to complete in the final 1/3 of the pitch. With 3 shots on goal, all were from 35+ yards out. Ivory Coast needs to get into the penalty box.

As for Brazil, there is no fire. The pace of the game has been mostly dictated by Ivory Coast. Brazil has lost several challenges for the ball, and made several bad passes. It’s not sloppy play, but definitely uninspired.

As for the referee, which is a shame that it needs to be mentioned, has been fair. There is no excess of cards (in fact only 1 yellow so far). The match is physical but not out of control. Several times the referee has pulled players, of both sides, over to be reprimanded as needed. It’s a good job so far.

All of that being said, Brazil did score a goal. It was the only score of the match so far. Which again says much for Ivory Coast. It came in the 24 minute, and was in part as much luck as it was skill. A lucky reboound of of a Brazilian player in a challenge allowed #9 Luis Fabiano, playing as the only forward, to race into the penalty box and place a kick over the head of Ivory Coast goalkeeper #1 Barry Boubacar Copa from the near post into the net at the far. It was very reminicent of the tide changing goal of Landon Donovan in the horribly officiated controversy that was Slovenia vs USA.

With the end of the half, neither team looked unbeatable. Neither looked flawless. If any team can come back from a leading Brazil after the half Ivory Coast looks to be that team. But for both teams many changes need to occur.

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