Eriksson insists Ivory Coast can make impact

Published on Monday 29 March 2010 23:22

SVEN-GORAN Eriksson has spoken of his excitement at being appointed as coach of the Ivory Coast for the World Cup and of his dream of meeting England in the final.

The 62-year-old former England and Manchester City manager is confident the class of players in the Ivory Coast squad can see them qualify from the 'group of death' and make a real impact in the finals in South Africa this summer. Brazil, Portugal and North Korea are the Ivory Coast's rivals in Group G, and if they do qualify the Elephants may also have to face Spain in the first knock-out phase.

In his first interview since being appointed to the job, Eriksson said: "I am extremely happy and very excited. The Ivory Coast is a good football nation with a lot of good players – it couldn't be better. I know it is called the group of death but that just means the challenge is bigger. It will not be easy but I think the Ivory Coast with all their talents can get through it.

"England were also in a 'group of death' in Japan in 2002 but they qualified and Argentina did not. This time Brazil are one of the favourites 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."

The Ivory Coast cannot meet England before the semi-finals and Eriksson says he would relish such a game.

He added: "It would be a great match if we could meet England – and hopefully in the final. England have a good chance of getting there, absolutely. In the World Cup you never really know what is going to happen."

Eriksson succeeds Bosnian coach Vahid Halilhodzic.