Drogba comes off bench to help Ivory Coast punish Japan

By Sven Busch, dpa

The introduction of Didier Drogba from the substitutes' bench triggered the Elephants' revival after they fell behind to a 16th minute goal from Keisuke Honda in the Group C World Cup game in Recife.

Serge Aurier provided the cross from the right for Swansea striker Bony to glance a 64th minute equalizer, just two minutes after Drogba entered the fray.

Two minutes later in an almost carbon copy move, the Toulouse defender flanked again from the right and Roma's Gervinho headed in at the near post.

Honda had needed just two touches to give Japan the lead in the rain at the Arena Pernambuco

From a short corner the AC Milan took a pass from Yuto Nagatomo as he entered the area before flashing an unstoppable left-foot shot past Boubacar Barry in goal.

Honda had another effort deflected over the bar a minute after keeper Eiji Kawashima parried a long-range effort from Arthur Boka.

Coach Sabri Lamouchi had left all-time top scorer Drogba on the subs' bench, with Bony up front.

But after a first half of more possession but few clearcut chances for the Elephants, it was little surprise to see Drogba soon warming up on the touchline.

After Yaya Toure had a penalty appeal turned down and Salomon Kalou fired wide, the former Chelsea striker came on with just over an hour gone, replacing defensive midfielder Serey Die.

Drogba's sheer presence had an immediate impact, with both Bony and Gervinho able to escape their markers for headed goals.

Japan were lacklustre after the break and never really looked like responding.

A third goal seemed the more likely for the Africans, and it was Drogba who was almost on target with a shot parried by the keeper and another deflected just wide in the last eight minutes.

Ivory Coast, at their third World Cup appearance, have now given themselves every chance of reaching the last 16 for the first time.

On Thursday in Brasilia they next face Colombia, who earlier comfortably overcame Greece 3-0 to top the group, while on the same day Alberto Zaccheroni's Japan face the Greeks in Natal.