Ivory Coast, Portugal pull off a goal-less draw

Johannesburg, Jun 16: The opening Group G clash ended up in a huge disappointment as Ivory Coast and Portugal ended up splitting points after pulling off a goal-less draw.

The Ivorians and the Portuguese played rough right from the beginning. The match was decked with fouls and the referee was forced to pulled out the yellow card quiet often.

While Portugal's efforts began right from the start with Cristiano Ronaldo's near goal, injured striker Didier Drogba sat it out on the bench for most of the match and entered the field with his protective cast almost at the end of the game.

Ronaldo's 11th minute attack was the only highlight of the first half of the game. The ball hit the goal post and Drogba sitting and watching the game let out a small prayer. And Ronaldo faded away.

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Didier Zokoraan began the reign of fouls, following with Ronaldo was pushed around by Guy Demel and both ended up being booked.

Ivory Coast's campaign seemed to be directionless without the ace striker Drogba. With just 25 minutes left in the game Drogba was sent in for Kalou amid resounding cheers from the elephant supporters at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.

However, neither Portugal nor Ivory Coast managed to turn in a goal in the very first match of the 'Group of Death'.

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