World Cup preview: Brazil vs. Ivory Coast

Some notes for Brazil. Goalkeeper Julio Cesar is playing his 50th international game. Defender Maicon his 60th, midfielder Kaka his 80th and midfielder Gilberto Silva his 90th.

1st minute: A fast start for Brazil as Robinho moves in and unleashes a 40-yard shot that goes just over the crossbar.

1st minute: The game is underway. Brazil is wearing its traditional yellow shirt, with blue shorts and blue socks. The Ivory Coast is dressed in green shirts with yellow lettering, white shorts and white socks.

Welcome to The Star-Ledger's coverage of the Group G match between Brazil and the Ivory Coast. Leave your comments below or e-mail fgiase@starledger.com. Refresh the page periodically for updates.

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Brazil, the five-time World Cup champion, is coming off a 2-1 victory over North Korea and will qualify for the second round with a victory today. The Ivory Coast and Portugal played to a scoreless tie in their opening game in what was expected to be the pivotal game of the group. The team to advance with Brazil just might be the team that can take a point (or possibly three?) when they meet. Portugal's showdown with Brazil is set for Friday at 10 a.m., a game that will keep all of the Ironbound section of Newark riveted to their television sets.

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LINEUPS

Brazil: Julio Cesar, Maicon, Lucio, Felipe Melo, Michel Bastos, Elano, Gilberto Silva, Luis Fabiano, Kaka, Robinho.

Ivory Coast: Boubacar Barry, Kolo Toure, Didier Zokora, Salomon Kalou, Cheick Tiote, Didier Drogba, Aruna Dindane, Siaka Tiene, Yaya Toure, Guy-Roland Demel, Emmanuel Eboue.

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Brazil

Brazil had a bit of trouble with a pesky North Korea side that scored late and made the final few minutes exciting. It took the Brazilians a good portion of the first half to figure out their mysterious foe, and when they did the second goal was more of the free-flowing style that we have come to expect. The first goal? Well, good teams make their own luck, and the way goalkeepers have played in this World Cup, a goalie beaten beaten to the near post was to be expected.

Key player: Pick any of the 11. In the old days, goalkeepers for Brazil were an afterthought, but Julio Cesar, who won the Serie A, Italian Cup and Champions League with Inter Milan, is considered one of the best in the world. After that, well there's Kaka, Maicon, Robinho, Felipe Melo......

Injuries of note: none.

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Ivory Coast

Holding off Portugal in the opening game without Didier Drogba playing much was all Ivory Coast could have asked for. Drogba, who broke his arm June 5 in a friendly against Japan, played the final 24 minutes against Portugal and may play a greater role today. Without him, it could be a struggle. Coach Sven-Goran Eriksson is very familiar with Brazil. He was coach of England at the 2002 World Cup when Brazil beat England, 2-1, on a fluke goal by Ronaldinho. Ronaldinho, by the way, was left off the squad as Brazil coach Dunga decided to leave some of the egos home in favor of better team chemistry.

Key player: It's definitely Drogba, but if he is limited, then midfielder Yaya Toure, who has big-game experience with Barcelona.

Injuries of note: Did we say Drogba?

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Referee: Stephane Lannoy, France

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