Ivory Coast seek to learn lessons quickly

NIEDERKASSEL, Germany, June 12 (Reuters) A stronger, wiser Ivory Coast will face the Netherlands on Friday believing that qualification from World Cup Group C is still possible, coach Henri Michel said today.

''This will be our second final,'' he told a news conference today after the African debutants lost 2-1 to Argentina in their opening match on Saturday.

''The first game determines how you play in the rest of the tournament. We have two more matches to play, two more matches to win and six points to claim,'' he said.

Ivory Coast gave an impressive display against a vastly more experienced Argentina, winning more possession, shots and even corners, but getting edged out in a high-quality match.

''There was a little bit of naivety in the game and it was too easy for the Argentines to win,'' said Michel.

''But that match is finished ... and I am not going to recite what we think are our weak points, that would make it easier for our adversaries.'' Asked whether he would make any changes to his defence, the Frenchman remained tight-lipped.

''I will say nothing about the team or tactics. I am not going to give anything away.'' The Argentines profited from Ivory Coast's poor defending at set pieces to break the deadlock, and keeper Jean Jacques Tizie appeared weak on high balls.

The Ivorians will have to address their problems at the back as Group C is widely viewed as the most competitive of the eight first-round sections in Germany. The Dutch beat Serbia&Montenegro 1-0 in their game yesterday.

''We know the quality of the Dutch team. They are very strong on both wings...they have a collective strength as a team,'' said Michel.

''The team is very young, they don't have so much experience at this level as Argentina but I respect them.'' Having shown the world their potential, Ivory Coast would have to give 100 percent from the very first minute to take a win from the Dutch, Michel added.

After meeting the Netherlands on Friday, Ivory Coast face Serbia&Montenegro in their final group stage match on June 21.

Reuters PDS GC2048