THE GREATEST OF ALL TIME
chapter-626

After the Ivorian National team played a friendly game against Scotland, they quickly moved on to the next phase of their training. The team was well aware of the immense challenge that awaited them in their opening World Cup group match against Iran. They knew that they had to prepare thoroughly to stand a chance. So, for the next three days, the team was fully committed to intense training exercises with the aim of improving their teamwork and tactics. They worked tirelessly to improve their skills and strategies, leaving no stone unturned.

Throughout their intensive training, the team honed several skills to ensure they were ready for the big stage. With unwavering determination, they put in endless hours of practice to improve their ball control, passing accuracy, and strategic positioning. They also devoted their time to perfecting specific plays and set pieces – which they planned to unleash during the tournament. Their hard work and dedication were evident in their exceptional performance on the training field. Zachary himself was on fire during the Ivorian National Team training! He was as focused and diligent as ever, pushing himself above and beyond to complete every task assigned by the coaches. Not only that – but his sheer determination and strong work ethic gradually rubbed off on his teammates, inspiring them to get in on the action and train like ‘maniacs' themselves.

Zachary himself was on fire during the Ivorian National Team training! He was as focused and diligent as ever, pushing himself above and beyond to complete every task assigned by the coaches. Not only that – but his sheer determination and strong work ethic gradually rubbed off on his teammates, inspiring them to get in on the action and train like ‘maniacs' themselves.

Zachary was also pleased with the Ivorian National team's preparations, which sometimes went beyond physical training. Under the guidance of Hervé Renard, their coach, the Ivorian team was also highly invested in establishing a robust team dynamic. They focused on building strong bonds amongst themselves, which would gradually become the backbone of their success on and off the field.

With their rigorous training regime and unyielding commitment, the Ivorian national team steadily built a foundation to become a formidable force in the upcoming World Cup. Equipped with their well-coordinated teamwork and honed strategies, they were geared up to face any adversary that came their way.

Finally, the long-awaited Tuesday arrived, and the Ivorian National team was all set to embark on their journey. With their adrenaline pumping and excitement high up in the air, they took an early morning flight from Edinburgh to Voronezh City in southwestern Russia, where their designated base camp for the World Cup awaited them. Upon arrival, the team checked into their hotel and rested for an entire afternoon before diving into their business again. On Wednesday morning, they dedicated themselves to rigorous training and strategic planning for their upcoming game. They paused and took a break in the afternoon after their coach confirmed their tactics were sound.

On Thursday, the day before their first World Cup game against Iran, the team went through a light training session in the morning to make final adjustments to their tactics. They didn't want to tire themselves out before the big game. So, in the afternoon, they relaxed and rested for a few hours before gathering to watch the World Cup opening ceremony as a team in one of the hotel's conference rooms.

While watching the World Cup opening ceremony, Zachary found himself bored out of his mind. He had to endure a long and tedious speech from the Russian president, followed by irrelevant singing and dance performances that didn't match his team's aspirations in the tournament. However, Zachary used this time to bond with his Ivorian teammates, which was the only positive aspect of the event.

After the opening ceremony, Zachary and his teammates decided to stay in the conference room. They didn't want to miss the World Cup opening match where Russia was playing against Saudi Arabia.

As they sat glued to the screen, they witnessed Russia trouncing the Saudi Arabian side with a score of five goals to nil. This remarkable achievement marked a great start to Russia's World Cup campaign.

"The Saudi Arabian didn't try their best during the game," observed Coach Hervé Renard after the match. "They didn't work hard off the ball and left their defense vulnerable to the Russian attacks. As a result, they conceded five goals to the hosts. We must not repeat their mistakes during our game against Iran tomorrow, boys. We need to work hard on and off the ball and put up a determined fight against the Iranians if we want to win our opening game. So, are you with me?"

"Yes, coach," the players responded spiritedly.

The coach nodded and glanced at his watch. "It's getting late, and we should grab some dinner before calling it a night. But before we do that, let me announce the squad for tomorrow's game against Iran," said the coach, smiling at his players. "Our starting line-up will be the same as during our friendly against Scotland," he continued. "Our keeper will be Sylvain Gbohouo, who has been in top form lately. As for our defenders, we have Serge Aurier, Eric Bailly, Lamine Koné, and Wilfried Kanon, who are all fierce, determined, and rock-solid in defense. Together, they'll form a formidable backline that our opponents will struggle to penetrate." He moved on to the midfield, saying, "We'll be going with Serey Dié, who is a master at controlling the defensive midfield, Franck Kessié, who is a versatile player with great vision, and Zachary Bemba, who is the best playmaker in the world. Our midfielders will be the engine that drives our team." The coach then revealed the forwards, saying, "For our front line, we'll have Wilfried Zaha and Nicolas Pépé on the flanks. They are both quick and agile. They also have great pace and dribbling skills. And playing as our center forward to complete our 4-3-3 formation, we have Gervinho, one of the most experienced players on our squad."

"Finally, to the substitutes that will make up our bench," continued the coach. "We have Abdoul Karim Cissé, Badra Ali Sangaré, Simon Deli, Isma?l Traoré, Adama Traoré, Mamadou Bagayoko, Cheick Doukouré, Ibrahim Sangaré, Maxwel Cornet, Jean Micha?l Seri, Max Gradel, Jonathan Kodjia, and Salomon Kalou."

Upon announcing the squad, the coach smiled and offered his players some further words of motivation. He spoke with a firm and commanding voice, conveying his expectations and goals for the upcoming match. He reminded them of their strengths as a team and emphasized the importance of communication and teamwork on the field. The players listened attentively, some nodding in agreement while others seemed lost in thought. When the coach finished speaking, he looked around at the team, making eye contact with each player before giving them a nod of approval and dismissing them from the conference room.

——

The following day!

The Ivorian football team had a busy and eventful day ahead of them. They woke up early in the morning, packed their bags, and bid farewell to their comfortable base camp in Voronezh. After that, they boarded a morning flight to Saint Petersburg, where they were scheduled to face off against Iran in a crucial Group B opening match at the Krestovsky Stadium.

Upon their arrival, they were immediately ushered into press conferences, where they faced tricky and challenging questions from journalists. They also had the opportunity to inspect and take in the stunning features of the brand-new Krestovsky Stadium later that morning.

After the press conferences and stadium inspection, the team came together for a sumptuous lunch, where they shared stories, laughed, and bonded over their common goal. They then spent the rest of the day resting, strategizing, and mentally preparing themselves for the upcoming match.

At four o'clock in the afternoon, the Ivorian team exited their hotel and boarded the awaiting bus that would take them to the stadium. Excitement was running high, as they knew they were about to engage in a challenging football match against their Iranian opponents.

The Krestovsky Stadium welcomed them with a spectacle of passionate football fans who had already crowded along the roads, creating an electric atmosphere that filled the air with excitement. The energy around the stadium was sky-high, and you could feel the anticipation building with every passing moment. As the bus pulled up to the stadium gates, Zachary's heart began to race with anticipation. The thunderous cheers of the crowd were so loud that he could feel them vibrating through the windows. His excitement grew as he followed his teammates out of the bus, ready to take on the challenge of the game ahead.

As soon as he stepped outside, Zachary couldn't help but wave back to the enthusiastic fans calling out his name. The rush of adrenaline that surged through his veins was unlike anything he had ever experienced. After he finally walked into the stadium, he felt a mix of emotions as he looked around and saw the sea of fans, all of whom had gathered to watch him and his teammates take on their Iranian opponents. Seeing all the hustle and bustle, Zachary was determined to bring his A-game to the field of play and claim victory over his first opponent in the World Cup. The excitement of playing in his first World Cup was palpable, and he was eager to showcase his skills and quickly make his mark on the tournament.