Tue, 30 Nov, -0001
Recife: Keisuke Honda threatened to sink African hopes for a second FIFA World Cup in a row before two goals in two minutes secured Cote d'Ivoire a 2-1 win over AFC Asian Cup holders Japan in their opening match of Brazil 2014 on Saturday.
Four years to the day since scoring the only goal of Japan's victory over Cameroon at South Africa 2010, Honda lashed home the goal thatgave Japan the lead in the 16th minute, but headers from Wilfried Bony and Gervinho in the 64th and 66th minutes sealed the win for the African side.
The defeat was the first for Japan against an African team at the FIFA World Cup and leaves Alberto Zaccheroni's side needing to pick up points against Greece in their second game on June 19 to keep their hopes of progressing to the Round of 16 alive.
Honda gave Japan the lead with his side's first meaningful attack of the game, the AC Milan man touching Yuto Nagatomo's pass into the penalty area before racing in and thumping the ball into the top corner with the inside of his right foot.
Four minutes later Atsuto Uchida forced Boubacar Barry into action, the Belgium-based goalkeeper dropping to his left to block the fullback's shot before Uchida's effort with the follow-up was deflected wide for a corner.
Japan's movement and nimbleness – particularly in the wet conditions – was proving difficult for the Ivorians to handle, and they were left to rely on set pieces to fashion their most realistic chances.
Yaya Toure sent his free kick over the bar in the 24th minute while Arthur Boka's long-range effort was kept out by Eiji Kawashima.
At the other end, Honda caused more concern in the Cote d'Ivoire defence when he shimmied his way through the middle before hitting a low effort that was ultimately deflected to safety.
Japan deserved their halftime lead, but the second half saw Cote d'Ivoire assert their authority and, ultimately, take the spoils as the Asian champions struggled to readjust following the withdrawal eight minutes after the interval of captain Makoto Hasebe.
Serge Aurier twice exploited the space available on the left side of the Japanese midfield to hurt Zaccheroni's team, the first to send in a curling cross that Bony glanced into the far corner of the net beyond Kawashima in the 64th minute.
Less than two minutes later, Aurier delivered again and this time Kawashima was unable to push Gervinho's header to safety, the ball sliding over the line to give Cote d'Ivoire the lead.
From there, Sabri Lamouchi's side never looked back. Didier Drogba, on as a substitute just after the hour mark, forced Kawashima into action with an 82nd minute free kick and, minutes later, the former Chelsea striker saw another attempt from open play deflected wide.
Japan managed to limit the damage further, but their hopes of a second successive appearance in the knockout phase of the FIFA World Cup now hinge on their now-crucial meeting with Greece next week.
Photo: AFP