Ivory Coast 0-3 North Korea

By Tim Vickery

The Ivory Coast were unable to make much impression

Ivory Coast crashed out of the Under-17 World Championship after a disastrous first- half display brought them a 3-0 defeat to North Korea in Chiclayo.

The Baby Elephants were clearly unlucky to lose to Italy last Saturday, but this time they could have no complaints about ill fortune in this Group C clash.

The defeat, following goals from Kim Kyong Il and a brace from Choe Myong Ho, leaves the Ivory Coast without a point in the group, while group leaders America have six points and both North Korea and Italy three apiece.

Since North Korea play Italy in the next match, Ivory Coast can no longer qualify since even a win over America in their final group game will not be enough to overtake the minimum of four points guaranteed either the Italians or Koreans.

Ivorian coach Francois Bohe brought striker Ismael Fofana in from the start of the game, and destroyed the balance of the side that played such pleasing football against the Italians.

The extra striker left the team with too many players in front of the ball.

Light in midfield, they were unable to construct their trademark intricate passing moves.

Their only serious shot on goal came in second-half injury-time.

The change also left the defence even more exposed than it had been against Italy.

Ivory Coast were torn apart right from the kick-off, and could have been two goals down in the first five minutes.

Just a minute later they were breached once more, and goalkeeper Ikossie Tahourou charged out of his goal to bring down Ri Hung Ryong and concede a penalty.

The excellent left foot of Choe Myong Ho stroked confidently home.

Choe struck one more with a blistering shot from the edge of the area after 38 minutes, bringing to an end any hopes that Ivory Coast held of staging a revival.

And just before half time a superb long-range shot from Kim Kyong Il completed the rout.

The second half was a mere formality, as will also be the Baby Elephants' final group game against the United States on Friday.

But if the Ivory Coast can find the same level of performance that they showed against Italy, then at least they will have left the tournament with honour intact.

Meanwhile, African champions Gambia beat Qatar 3-1 to secure their leadership spot in Group D.

The Gambia lead the group with six points, three more than both Holland and Brazil, while Qatar have yet to win a point.

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Ivory Coast:
Tahourou (sub Andy), Bamba, Agoussi, Bosson, Keita, Gnabouyou, Kouakou, Kouassi, Kouadio (sub Abdul), Diomande (sub Vamara), Fofana