Another big test for samba kings

JOHANNESBURG (AP):Brazil are expecting more difficulties when they face Cte d'Ivoire today with the chance to reach the second round of the World Cup with a game to spare in Group G.

Victory would allow Brazil to relax and maybe even rest some players in their last group match against Portugal on Friday, but coach Dunga is bracing for a tough match at Soccer City.

"We know we won't be able to create many scoring opportunities," Dunga said yesterday. "In the World Cup, you have to take advantage of the opportunities you have, we will need to be very efficient."

Brazil began the World Cup with a hard-fought 2-1 win over North Korea on Tuesday in Johannesburg, when they struggled to get past the tight defensive set-up of the North Koreans.

"Ivory Coast also will not let us play," Dunga said. "But playing defensive or not, they have a lot of quality and speed. They will be careful, but will try to attack, too."

Cte d'Ivoire played well against Portugal in the opener but could not get past a 0-0 draw in Port Elizabeth.

"If we defend well, we should be able to get a good result," Cte d'Ivoire defender Emmanuel Eboue said. "(Brazil are) a great team, everybody knows this, but this motivates us and again we have to play at our best."

Cte d'Ivoire coach Sven-Goran Eriksson said he will leave his decision on whether to start Didier Drogba until the last hours leading up to the match.

Dunga said he was not planning any special scheme to contain the Chelsea striker if he plays.

"He is an important player and we will have to be careful, but you can't mark him alone, you have to defend against the others, too," Dunga said.

successful return

Drogba made a successful return from a broken arm with a 24-minute substitute appearance against Portugal, looking untroubled by the injury he sustained in a World Cup warm-up on June 4.

"Every player feels very, very well and we've got confidence in ourselves," Eboue said. "If Drogba plays, it will be very great for us."

Brazil would reach six points with a victory, enough to make it one of the two teams that advance from the group. Cte d'Ivoire would not be eliminated with a loss, but it could make it very hard for the African nation to advance if Portugal racks up a big win against North Korea.

It will be the first match between Brazil and Cte d'Ivoire, but Brazil have won all five of their previous World Cup meetings with African teams. The most recent was four years ago, when the Brazilians defeated Ghana 3-0 in the round of 16 before losing to France in the quarter-finals.

"It will be a difficult game for us," Cte d'Ivoire midfielder Cheick Tiote said. "Brazil are very strong in attack, so we have to watch out for that. We will have to be well-organised and attack when we can and when we have to."

Dunga acknowledged that Brazil were below their best against North Korea, but was expecting natural improvement.

"The tendency is for us to improve as we play more matches," Brazil striker Robinho said. "Hopefully, it will be enough to give us the win against the Ivory Coast and a spot in the next round."

Robinho could take over the playmaker's role today if Kaka continues to struggle to find his form after entering the World Cup, recovering from a series of injuries with Real Madrid.

Kaka was far from his best in the match against North Korea and was substituted in the 78th minute. If he doesn't play the entire match, Robinho could move back to midfield.

Brazil midfielder Gilberto Silva trained normally yesterday and was set to play from the start against Cte d'Ivoire despite missing action in a closed training session on Friday amid unconfirmed reports of an ankle injury.