Angry Drogba wanted a point, not a goal

HAMBURG, June 11 Angry Didier Drogba said he would have swapped his goal for a point after Ivory Coast lost their Group C opener 2-1 to Argentina.

''How can I be happy? The goal doesn't matter when you are beaten like that,'' Drogba told Reuters after the match yesterday.

''I am very disappointed with the result but also the way in which we lost. We had our chances and didn't take them, maybe I would have even been happy with a draw.'' Drogba showed his frustrations by getting a yellow card late in the game when he threw the ball at Argentina goalkeeper Roberto Abbondanzieri.

The Ivorian striker netted in the 82nd minute to set up a rousing finale but Argentina held on for victory thanks to two first-half goals from Hernan Crespo and Javier Saviola.

''We just have to try and pick ourselves up for the next game and try and look at the positives,'' said captain Drogba.

''Tonight is not all about me, it is about the whole team.'' The Africans, appearing at the finals for the first time, are in one of the toughest groups.

They face Netherlands in their next game on Friday before playing Serbia&Montenegro five days later.

REUTERS