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CRISTIANO RONALDO has called for more protection for the most skilful players after Portugal opened their World Cup with a disappointing draw.

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Ronaldo polarises opinion like no other player, but it was hard not to feel some sympathy after his robust treatment at the hands of Sven Goran Eriksson's Ivory Coast.

Real Madrid star Ronaldo was booked for dissent after reacting to a foul on him by becoming involved in a shoving match with three Ivory Coast opponents early on.

And the world's most expensive player could not hide his anger at his perceived lack of protection from Uruguayan ref Jorge Larrionda.

"Was I concerned about the fouls on me?" said Ronaldo. "Yes. Sometimes it's difficult for me when referees give fouls because they think I dive.

"The game is quick, but I don't understand decisions of the referees when they do these things.

"They should protect the more skilful players when they are getting fouled by the opposition. One of their players fouled me in the first half and I got a yellow card. I don't understand it.

"When it's three against one, as it was with their players against me, it's not fair to book me.

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Portugal boss Carlos Queiroz backed Ronaldo's claim and said his star player was deliberately targeted by Ivory Coast's players.

"The tackles are intimidation tackles," said Queiroz. "The refs don't protect talented footballers. The Ivory Coast players are strong, but this was a match in which they tried to impose their physical side. Ronaldo was the victim of a bad decision and it should have been noted."

A game that had promised so much between two nations bursting with talent ended in a drab stalemate, the desire not to lose in the toughest group, with Brazil to come, ultimately ensuring neither team was ready to risk all for victory.

For Portugal and their captain Ronaldo, it represented a frustrating start to their World Cup campaign.

For Eriksson's Ivory Coast, shackling Ronaldo and earning a point was the best possible preparation for taking on Brazil in their next game.

Eriksson has only been in charge since March, but it is clear the former England boss has instilled some much-needed organisation and discipline into Ivory Coast's defence, marshalled superbly by skipper and Manchester City defender Kolo Toure. With both of these countries not expected to have too much difficulty in overcoming Group G minnows North Korea, their respective chances of qualifying for the last 16 will depend on how each one fares against Brazil.

Eriksson said: "It was a game between two teams who didn't want to lose. If any team could have won it should have been us, because we created more chances."

The game had been billed as a duel between Ronaldo and Didier Drogba, two of the most iconic strikers in the world, but the Chelsea striker - who suffered a broken arm two weeks ago - only made the bench.

Ronaldo began the match in sparkling form but on six minutes went sprawling under minimal touch from Didier Zokora, who was booked. On 12 minutes Ronaldo made his mark, crashing a ferocious dipping shot against a post Prada Replica Handbags from 35 yards out.

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