Didier Drogba came off the bench to inspire Cote d’Ivoire to a 2-1 comeback victory over Japan in a World Cup Group C match on Saturday.
Drogba, who had been carrying an injury, came on in the 62nd minute when his team was losing 1-0.
The talismanic striker’s arrival immediately lifted the Ivory Coast team and Wilfried Bony and Gervinho scored with headers two minutes apart. Both goals were set up by curling crosses from defender Serge Aurier.
Coach Sabri Lamouchi’s inspired substitution negated Keisuke Honda’s first half goal that had given Japan the lead in a group that also includes Colombia and Greece. Colombia beat Greece 3-0 earlier on Saturday.
The 36-year-old former Chelsea star started for Cote d’Ivoire in the last two World Cups, but neither of those sides made it out of group play. He probably lacks the fitness to play 90 minutes these days, but his impact as a substitute can be dramatic, as was shown on a rainy night in Recife.
Now the Cote d’Ivoire is in good shape to advance to the second round for the first time. Next up is Colombia, the group leader by virtue of goal difference. That match is Thursday, as is Japan’s next test against Greece.
Japan had the better of the play in the first half, taking a lead through Honda’s hard left-footed strike from about 12 yards in the 16th minute.
Yuto Nagatomo slid a pass across the edge of the penalty area to Honda, who settled the ball cleanly with his right foot before belting his 21st career international goal under the cross bar and inside the near post.
Scorers for Ivory Coast:
Wilfried Bony 1
Gervinho 1
Scorers for Japan:
Keisuke Honda 1
South Africa Today Sport – Football News – Ivory Coast vs Japan – Football