Two nations looking to return to form will do battle today in an international friendly between El Salvador and the Ivory Coast. The World Cup tune-up scheduled for 9 p.m. ET will be held at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas and can be live streamed here free. Additional TV coverage can be found on beIN Sports.
Head coach Sabri Lamouchi made a controversial decision in leaving striker Seydou Doumbia off his 23-man roster for the World Cup. In response, Doumbia, at only 26, announced his retirement from international football. He didn't, however, retire quietly. The CSKA Moscow forward had harsh words for his former coach.
"It is with deep regret I announce that there would be no need to return to play for Ivory Coast in the future. I'm fed up of being used as a spare tyre for so many years," Doumbia said on Tuesday (via Super Sport).
"That excuse, [that I was left out because of back pain], is a huge lie that I cannot accept. The coach has made his choice and he has to stand by it rather than telling lies about my health. I had a back pain in the past, but it was successfully treated and I have not felt it again since 2012," he added.
"I'm ready to take any test to show that I'm very fit."
The ones facing the test now, in the form of El Salvador, is Lamouchi and the Ivory Coast national team. Will they be able to pass it with flying colors? Tell us @SportsWN
Tactical Preview
Player to Watch: Ivory Coast's Mathis Bolly will be given the platform to breakthrough at the 2014 World Cup. The 23-year-old made eight starts in Germany's second division, scoring just one goal.
El Salvador's Projected Lineup (4-4-2): Hernandez; Garcia, Molina, Barrios, Larin; Flores, Ceren, Menjivar, Alas; Blanco, Aguila
Ivory Coast's Projected Lineup (4-2-3-1): Gb Ohouo; Akpro, Boka, Bamba, Djakpa, Diomande, Tiote; Sio, Toure, Bolly; Drogba
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