Recife: Two goals in two second-half minutes saw the Ivory Coast come from behind and beat Japan 2-1 in a dramatic World Cup Group ‘C’ late Saturday encounter.A fine Keisuke Honda strike after 16 minutes had put Japan in front at the Pernambuco Arena, but the Ivorians introduced Didier Drogba from the bench just after the hour mark before going on to turn the game on its head.
Within five minutes of the veteran striker’s arrival on the rain-soaked surface, the Elephants scored twice, both times from Serge Aurier crosses.The equaliser came when the right-back’s curling delivery was headed home by Wilfried Bony, before Gervinho connected with another Aurier centre to stun the sizeable Japanese contingent inside the stadium.
Drogba was left on the bench at kick-off, with Bony preferred as the spearhead of the attack, but the Ivorians still maintained a considerable physical advantage over the Asian champions. However, what Japan lack in muscle they more than make up for in technical ability, and Honda displayed his class to put the Blue Samurai ahead.
