Ivory Coast need just a draw to move into second round

Fortaleza, June 23 (IANS/EFE) Ivory Coast are theoretically closer to qualification for the knock-out stage but they cannot allow any slip-up when they face Greece in their last Group C clash of the 2014 World Cup at the Estadio Castelao here Tuesday.

Ivory Coast's French coach Sabri Lamouchi will again rely on Roma's Gervinho, who scored twice so far in the World Cup, along with the likes of Didier Drogba and Yaya Toure, reports EFE.

Yaya and his brother Kolo, however, are in a state of mourning following the death of their brother Ibrahim Toure in England last week.

For Ivory Coast a draw will be enough but things are a bit complicated for 2004 Euro winners Greece. The Greeks not only have to win by a better goal difference but also have to hope that Colombia beat Japan in the other group game. The Greeks might miss their prolific striker, Kostas Mitroglou, due to an injury.

The options in Group C are still open, with only Colombia achieving qualification; the three other teams have a shot at the second berth. Colombia are first with six points, Ivory Coast second with three points, while Japan and Greece are third and fourth with zero points.

--IANS/EFE

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