GROUP G: PORTUGAL 0 IVORY COAST 0:THE PRESENCE of two of the World Cup's biggest names, Didier Drogba and Cristiano Ronaldo, failed to provide the tournament with a much-needed lift as the Ivory Coast and Portugal played out a goalless stalemate.

Excitement levels in the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium were sky-high at kick-off, but by the end of a disappointing contest, shaded by the Ivory Coast, even the most energetic vuvuzela blowers had been becalmed by the biting wind, relentless rain and lack of goals.

These were hardly the conditions, nor the circumstances, under which Drogba must have dreamed of beginning his African World Cup adventure. The Ivorian skipper, who fractured his elbow 10 days ago, had received permission from Fifa to play with a cast, but decided he wanted to start on the bench and only appeared for the game’s last quarter.

Ronaldo, then, had the opportunity to take centre stage, a role from which the confident Real Madrid forward rarely shies. He began promisingly, conjuring the first threat on 11 minutes by nimbly turning past Yaya Toure and unleashing a superb swerving shot from 30 yards that hit the post.

But the 25-year-old has struggled to sparkle with Portugal of late, failing to score in their painstaking qualifying campaign, and his influence quickly faded.

Infuriated by the referee’s decision to book him, rather harshly, for diving over Didier Zokora’s challenge, Ronaldo began showing more petulance than brilliance, losing possession with unnecessarily flashy flicks and making too many poor decisions.

Although his notoriety ensured he was voted man of the match by supporters, the former Manchester United winger barely seemed happy with his performance when collecting the award, voicing his frustration with the referee.

“Someone tackled me, I did nothing and I got a yellow,” Ronaldo said. “It’s not fair. Sometimes I don’t understand the referees. They have to protect the best players.”

In truth, Ivory Coast were more responsible than the referee for taming the Portugal captain. Yaya Toure’s crunching challenge on him in the 25th minute was typical of the highly-committed attitude shown by Sven-Goran Eriksson’s disciplined and determined team.

Faced with such powerful, aggressive opponents, the 2006 semi-finalists quickly retreated, contenting themselves with slow passing moves. For all the neat skills displayed by Deco, Danny and Ronaldo, they had no cutting edge.

Portuguese coach Carlos Queiroz attempted to deflect attention from an ineffective display by accusing the opposition of playing too defensively. “Ivory Coast defended with lots of players behind the ball all the time,” he complained. “It’s not possible to play a more risky game when you always have 11 men to get past.”

In reality, Eriksson’s counterattacking tactics were spot on. The Swede has succeeded in moulding a strong collective unit during his short period in charge, and his decision to move Zokora back into defence to partner Kolo Toure looks particularly inspired.

The last time Zokora and Toure played together at centre-back they were teenagers winning the African Champions League at Asec Abidjan. Some 12 years later the partnership appeared just as strong as the Elephants restricted Portugal to one effort on target.

“Zokora is fast and I knew I’d need quick players in defence against Portugal,” Eriksson explained. “He was fantastic, but then the whole team showed great discipline.”

Given their solid defence and pace in attack Eriksson’s men should have won but lacked precision in the final third.

Gervinho was the most dangerous player on the pitch in the first half, forcing Paulo Ferreira into a crucial challenge on 23 minutes, then almost teeing up Salomon Kalou with a cross moments later.

Sensing Portugal were there for the taking, and knowing their next game is against Brazil, the Africans attacked with more urgency at the start of the second half. Gervinho raced past Ricardo Carvalho before stinging the hands of Eduardo with a powerful cross-shot, although the Lille striker was not so impressive in nodding Aruna Dindane’s cross wastefully over on the hour.

With Portugal’s defence creaking, Eriksson looked to move in for the kill by sending on Drogba. The fans went wild but his entrance failed to galvanise the team, the 32-year-old clearly still feeling the effects of his injured arm despite claims to the contrary.

When Drogba did get an opportunity, in added time, latching on to Kader Keita’s through pass, he lacked the sharpness required.

Eriksson was nevertheless delighted to have given his main man playing time before meeting Brazil. “We’re really pleased he played and looked fine,” he said. “He’ll be in even better condition for the next game.”

Ivory Coast fans, and most neutrals, will be hoping the star players start firing soon.