Ivory Coast comeback leaves Japan stunned

Two goals in two second-half minutes saw the Ivory Coast come from behind and beat Japan 2-1 in a dramatic World Cup Group C match at Recife in Brazil late on Saturday. A fine Keisuke Honda strike after 16 minutes had put Japan in front at the Pernambuco Arena, but the Ivorians introduced Didier Drogba from the bench just after the hour mark before going on to turn the game on its head. Within five minutes of the veteran striker’s arrival on the rain-soaked surface, the Elephants scored twice, both times from Serge Aurier crosses. The equaliser came when the right-back’s curling delivery was headed home by Wilfried Bony, before Gervinho connected with another Aurier centre to stun the Japanese contingent inside the stadium. The result sees the Ivory Coast join Colombia - who beat Greece 3-0 earlier in the day – on three points atop Group C, and Sabri Lamouchi’s side must face the South Americans next in Brasilia on Thursday, according to AFP.