Didier Drogba unsettles Japan

TOKYO, June 15 (AFP): Japanese football fans erupted in joy -- then dropped their heads in dismay, cursing Didier Drogba as the Blue Samurai went down 2-1 to Ivory Coast in their World Cup opener.
Thousands of people gathered at sports bars and stadiums across the Land of the Rising Sun to watch the match in Recife live on television on a late Sunday morning in Japan.
"It seemed Drogba did us in all by himself," former Japan coach Takeshi Okada, who guided the Asian champions to the last-16 round at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, commented in the Brazilian city on public broadcaster NHK.
AC Milan midfielder Keisuke Honda, who scored twice at South Africa 2010, opened the account in the 16th minute.
But the Elephants roared to life after Drogba was sent in at the 62nd minute, with Wilfried Bony and Gervinho scoring in the 64th and 66th minutes.
"Drogba's arrival turned the tide," an NHK announcer said.
At the Tokyo Dome ballpark, some 35,000 people watching the match on huge stadium screens cheered their team on.