In the final World Cup game of the day, Japan and the Ivory Coast met in an intriguing Group C clash. The Elephants’ significant size and possession advantage mattered little in the first half, as Japan used their counterattacking skill and clever passing to earn this delightful goal from star Keisuke Honda:
Japan made the goal stand through halftime, and as the game hit the hour mark they looked content to sit on the ball and cruise to the finish line. That is when Ivory Coast made the biggest decision of the game, however: in the 62nd minute, they brought on 36-year-old striker Didier Drogba. Drogba immediately set Gervinho up for an excellent goal-scoring opportunity, and Japan were forced to pay close attention to the veteran striker.
Mere minutes later, the ripple effect of Drogba’s introduction manifested itself in a goal for Ivory Coast. Serge Aurier sent in a perfect cross from the right side, which met streaking striker Wilfried Bony in stride:
Just 100 seconds later, the ball once again ended up at Aurier’s feet in a nearly identical spot. His cross came in and this time found Gervinho, who delivered a similar result:
Despite a solid effort from Japan following the goal, Ivory Coast’s possession dominance (they ended up finishing the game with a 58-42 advantage) prevented the Japanese from mounting a serious threat. Undoubtedly, Drogba’s presence was the deciding factor in the match; the Atlanta Falcons’ Osi Umenyiora probably put it best:
The "old" "slowing" Drogba comes on the pitch, and magic happens
Ivory Coast will try to repeat that magic on Thursday, when they meet fellow victor Colombia. The spector of Drogba will loom over the buildup to the game, and it would seem likely that he will earn a start against the confident Colombia squad.
Japan, on the other hand, faces a must-win against Greece. The Greeks did not show much punch in the attack today, and this matchup with the Japanese figures to be a low-scoring affair. Both teams will need three points, however, to get themselves back in the fight to reach the knockout stage.
RELATED: Keisuke Honda Fires Japan into the Lead (GIF)
RELATED: Ivory Coast Scores Two Goals on Two Headers in Two Minutes (GIFs)
