Port Elizabeth - Portugal midfielder Deco wants to see his friend and Chelsea teammate Didier Drogba play for the Ivory Coast in their World Cup clash here on Tuesday.?

After completing an eve of match training session at the Nelson Mandela Bay stadium Deco told a press conference: "Didier is a friend of mine, he's a good player, I hope he plays, it would be good for the game."

Drogba's participation in this opening match in the 2010 World Cup 'Group of Death' is likely to be left until the last minute after the African superstar broke his arm in a warm-up on June 4.

Portugal manager Carlos Queiroz said he had been following the Drogba 'will he won't he play saga' closely.

"Obviously we have seen what has been publicised in the news, we also have direct channels and are paying attention to what is happening with the Ivory Coast.

"I'm not a doctor, I can't say whether Drogba will play or not, but after 30 years in football there is nothing that can surprise me."

With five-time world champions Brazil also in Group G along with underdogs North Korea both Deco and his manager are anxious to start with a win.

"The press have dubbed this the Group of Death. With all due respect to North Korea three teams are chasing two places. It doesn't matter if one of the trio plays the best soccer in the world, only two can go through.

"It's important we win tomorrow. We want the three points, there are nine at stake, a World Cup doesn't allow you to make a mistake."

Brazilian-born Deco, 32, who has won the Champions League with both Porto and Barcelona and is one of a select group of only 13 players to have starred in 100 Champions League games, was unfazed at the goal drought that has hit Cristiano Ronaldo.

The team captain and national and international icon has scored 25 goals for Real Madrid last season but has failed to find the net for his country in World Cup qualifying.

The attacking midfielder, who is retiring from the international scene after South Africa, remarked: "It's natural everyone is talking about Cristiano, given who he is. But for us it's not important who scores, but that we as a team score."

Ronaldo, when tackled on his goal famine on Sunday, said goals, were like "ketchup - when it comes out (of the bottle) it all comes out at once," prompting Deco to smile: "If I score I will have to ask him what we are going to do with this ketchup".

Before heading off for lunch Deco concluded: "The first game is usually complicated, anxiety levels are running high but we are ready and have prepared ourselves well."

For Queiroz, the former Manchester United assistant manager, he was only too pleased that the end of the phoney war was at last in sight.

"The preparation time has come to an end, we're anxious to start playing, to show what we are capable of. All the ingredients are there, all the players are eager to do well for Portugal."

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