Ivory Coast claimed the first World Cup points their plucky performances from their three games deserved with a battling 3-2 win over Serbia.
Two goals behind ‘The Elephants’ roused themselves to set up a thrilling finale and play out one of the games of the tournament so far. With both sides having little to shout about because of the way results have gone it was an enthralling game with plenty of end to end action involved.
Both sides started with similar teams to the ones which had last their previous games. Ivory Coast who were narrowly beaten by Holland were looking to claim three points after being beaten 2-1 by the favourites for their group while Serbia were looking to regain some pride from a competition which had seen them be thrashed by Argentina and show little invention against Holland.
Munich’s crowd who was treated to an excellently atmospheric encounter almost witnessed its first goal on six minutes as a long range effort from Boka flashed just wide of Jevric’s goal.
After a good start however The African side went behind as Zigic tapped into an empty net after sneaking between defender and goalkeeper. When a long ball was played over the tap, indecision played a part in the Ivory Coast ranks and the striker was able to sneak in to score his sides’ first goal of the tournament.
On nineteen minutes the Ivory Coast should have been back in the game, missing two chances in a great spell of possession. A good run from down the right set up an excellent chance for Dindane who fired straight into the keepers legs, seconds later when the ball came back in Akale was unlucky party as off balance his volley found the crowd with a gaping net in front of him.
Despite nearly scoring at one end, the Ivory Coast were devastated to concede a second so soon after threatening. Sasa Ilic took advantage of poor play by Domoraud who dithered when he should have cleared the ball. A devastating blow for the World Cup debutants and one at the time which seemed unrecoverable.
They were however allowed back into the game when an inexplicable handball allowed Dindane to score from the penalty spot. The penalty needed to be twice taken because of encroachment but gave the Ivory Coast a perfect route back into the game after trailing for much of the half. Dindane’s strike was cool and calculated and was just what his side needed.
In injury time of the first half Serbia were reduced to ten men when Nadj was taken off. Despite coming on as a substitute during the first half the man who was booked for his part in the penalty was dismissed for an abysmal two footed lunge in injury time.
The second half was as eventful as the first and it was the Ivory Coast who took the initiative. After some good passing the ball was floated in for Dindane who headed the equalizer before celebrating with his team mates for the second time in the game.
In the dying moments of an enthralling half Serbia were foolish enough to give away another unnecessary penalty due to handball. Kalou made no mistake in knocking in the second spot kick of the game and ended his sides three game wait for a win.
The victory was hard fought for The Ivory Coast and nearly became an even more difficult task as Domoraud was sent off for them to cap a difficult game for the defender.
Two goals behind ‘The Elephants’ roused themselves to set up a thrilling finale and play out one of the games of the tournament so far. With both sides having little to shout about because of the way results have gone it was an enthralling game with plenty of end to end action involved.
Both sides started with similar teams to the ones which had last their previous games. Ivory Coast who were narrowly beaten by Holland were looking to claim three points after being beaten 2-1 by the favourites for their group while Serbia were looking to regain some pride from a competition which had seen them be thrashed by Argentina and show little invention against Holland.
Munich’s crowd who was treated to an excellently atmospheric encounter almost witnessed its first goal on six minutes as a long range effort from Boka flashed just wide of Jevric’s goal.
After a good start however The African side went behind as Zigic tapped into an empty net after sneaking between defender and goalkeeper. When a long ball was played over the tap, indecision played a part in the Ivory Coast ranks and the striker was able to sneak in to score his sides’ first goal of the tournament.
On nineteen minutes the Ivory Coast should have been back in the game, missing two chances in a great spell of possession. A good run from down the right set up an excellent chance for Dindane who fired straight into the keepers legs, seconds later when the ball came back in Akale was unlucky party as off balance his volley found the crowd with a gaping net in front of him.
Despite nearly scoring at one end, the Ivory Coast were devastated to concede a second so soon after threatening. Sasa Ilic took advantage of poor play by Domoraud who dithered when he should have cleared the ball. A devastating blow for the World Cup debutants and one at the time which seemed unrecoverable.
They were however allowed back into the game when an inexplicable handball allowed Dindane to score from the penalty spot. The penalty needed to be twice taken because of encroachment but gave the Ivory Coast a perfect route back into the game after trailing for much of the half. Dindane’s strike was cool and calculated and was just what his side needed.
In injury time of the first half Serbia were reduced to ten men when Nadj was taken off. Despite coming on as a substitute during the first half the man who was booked for his part in the penalty was dismissed for an abysmal two footed lunge in injury time.
The second half was as eventful as the first and it was the Ivory Coast who took the initiative. After some good passing the ball was floated in for Dindane who headed the equalizer before celebrating with his team mates for the second time in the game.
In the dying moments of an enthralling half Serbia were foolish enough to give away another unnecessary penalty due to handball. Kalou made no mistake in knocking in the second spot kick of the game and ended his sides three game wait for a win.
The victory was hard fought for The Ivory Coast and nearly became an even more difficult task as Domoraud was sent off for them to cap a difficult game for the defender.