Ivory Coast seeking to end a dubious record

Ivory Coast (Cote d'Ivoire) booked their fifth appearance at the World Youth Championship after a string of impressive displays in the African qualifiers. Finishing runners-up to Egypt in the final qualifiers, Ivory Coast however arrive in the UAE out to erase a dubious distinction.

Ivory Coast have never won a single game in their 12 matches in the Youth Cup thus far but Mama Ouattara's side are looking not only to clinch their first set of points, but go much further in the 24-team tourney which kicks off here in the UAE on November 27.

Coach Ouattara's boys booked their berth with convincing double-leg wins over Algeria (3-0 and 2-0) and Cameroon (2-2 and 1-0). The display carried them to the African finals where they met the best in the continent.

In Burkina Faso they opened with a 1-1 draw against Egypt, runners-up in the last World Youth Cup. The 'Young Elephants' then defeated Morocco and followed it up with a 3-2 triumph over Ghana and into the last four.

Ouattara's squad then took hosts Burkina Faso in their stride eventually losing out to Egypt in the final.

Many Ivory Coast players in the youth team are products of the football academies, particularly those set up by Frenchman Jean-Marc Guillou. Ouattara and senior team coach Robert Nouzaret have been able to channelise the talent in Ivory Coast and much is expected by the teams.

Ouattara tends to deploy a classic 4-4-2 formation, defending in zones and relying on a solid defence backed up by outstanding goalkeeper by Daniel Yeboah, who plays for Bastia in France.

Apart from Yeboah, the other players to watch are Antonin Koutouan, Mohammed Diallo and Arouna Kone , all three currently play club football in Belgium.

Another player to watch is Andre Saki, who plays in tandem with Koutouan and Diallo.

The Young Elephants arrive in the UAE after a short training stint in Qatar. Grouped with Saudi Arabia, Republic of Ireland and Mexico, the African side will face a tough task in the group matches.

Whether or not they manage to score their first win, one thing's for sure: the Ivorians are set to dazzle the crowds.

At a glance
Ivory Coast's record at the FIFA World Youth Championship
* Have qualified four times earlier (Tunisia 1977, Mexico 1983, Portugal 1991 and Malaysia 1997.)
* Equal Nigeria's record by an African side by qualifying for the fifth time.
* Have never won a game having drawn five matches and lost seven.

Ivory Coast are grouped along with Saudi Arabia, Republic of Ireland and Mexico.
Matches to be played at the Khalifa Stadium, Al Ain:

Against Mexico on November 29; Against Ireland on December 2; Against Saudi Arabia on December 5.