Ivory Coast coach Sven-Goran Eriksson says his team has enough
quality to advance from the group stage at the World Cup.
But the 62-year-old Swede, who was hired Sunday, is concerned
that the squad won't gather until May 22, just weeks before the
June 11-July 11 tournament begins in South Africa.
Eriksson took England to the quarterfinals of the last two
World Cups before being knocked out by Brazil in 2002 and Portugal
in 2006. Ivory Coast will face both teams in Group G in South
Africa, where it will also play North Korea - a country Eriksson
was linked to before taking the African job.
"We are in a difficult group and it will not be easy but I
think the Ivory Coast, with all their talents, can get through it -
that's the first target and we will have to work very hard for it,"
Eriksson said.
"Brazil are one of the favorites and Portugal are one of the
best teams in Europe. But there are six African countries in the
World Cup, it is in Africa for the first time, and I am sure two or
three will spring some big surprises and we have to make sure we
are one of those that do.
"We should have lots of support and the tournament in South
Africa should be very good for the whole continent and the game of
football."
Long regarded as one of the best teams in Africa, Ivory Coast
was drawn in another tough group at the 2006 World Cup. It exited
after finishing third behind the Netherlands and Argentina.
Eriksson, who also managed Lazio and Manchester City, will be
relying on goals from Chelsea striker Didier Drogba.
"Drogba is one of the best strikers in the world and he has
showed that for many years now in the Premier League," Eriksson
said. "There are other great players too, including Eboue at
Arsenal, Salomon Kalou, Kolo Toure - and his brother Yaya at
Barcelona.
"The only problem is that we are not together until May 22,
but that is the same for most of the teams, and I am going to start
traveling from tomorrow to see all the players around Europe and in
the Ivory Coast too. There is a lot of hard work ahead of me but I
like that - in fact I love it ... This will be my third World Cup
and you are always happy to be there."
Eriksson had been out of work since February when he left his
job as director of football at English fourth-tier club Notts
County. He had taken that job after being fired by Mexico.
