Despite managing just one point at the World Cup 2014 group stages, Greece find themselves still with an opportunity to reach the knockout stages of the competition. Greece managed only a 0-0 draw with Japan in their opening game of the World Cup 2014. This will be followed by a match against Ivory Coast. Since they have not only kept a clean sheet but have also taken a point from the match, things are looking promising for Greece ahead of the final match against Ivory Coast.

This will be the final major tournament for Greece manager Fernando Santos, who is looking for the perfect send-off.
Defending has been one of the main strengths of the Greek national team and they play to their strengths against Japan despite having been reduced to 10 men. This was after Katsouranis was sent off by the referee. Santos said after the match that Greece could have taken three points from the match had it not been for the red card. He said that once they had been reduced to 10 men, they had no option but to go defensive and protect the point.

Colombia thrashed the Greeks in the opening match despite not having star striker Radamel Falcao in their ranks. “Until the 20th minute we were good, we were focused. The dismissal of Katsouranis, made things very difficult for us. Our players responded well and were determined to get at least a draw. Maybe we had to keep possession more in order to control the pace and to set up more counter attacks,” said the manager.

Despite having taken only a point, Santos takes his Greek team looking for a final win against Ivory Coast, which will be enough to take them to the knockout stages. Due to the better goal difference, Ivory Coast will still progress with a 2-0 defeat.