 |
| Get in! Gervinho celebrates his winning goal |
Ivory Coast (0) 2
Japan (1) 1
Ivory Coast showed the way tonight. Maybe they are Africa’s best hope. A come-from-behind
2-1 win over Japan sees Ivory Cost in a wonderful position, joint top of Group
C with Colombia on three points – a draw with Colombia in the next game most likely
seals place in the next round.
It wasn’t straightforward though. Ivory Coast started well, with good shape and an apparent
understanding of the tactics set out. However, a slip in focus led to slack defending
which led to Japan’s goal, a brilliant touch and finish from Keisuke Honda.
From there Ivory Coast seemed to totally lose their shape and, in truth,
if wasn’t for Japan’s sloppiness on the counterattack the game could have
been out of Ivory Coast's reach by halftime.
The introduction of Didier Drogba on the hour mark changed everything. The
Elephants stepped up their pressure and belief. Wilfried Bony soon equalised in
the 64th minute before Gervinho’s winner two minutes later.
Ivory Coast have shown the way for other African teams.
Belief is always a problem for African teams as shown by Ivory Coast’s
own inability to impose themselves on Japan in the first half. After Bony’s equaliser,
however, the Elephants were rampant. At last they looked bigger, faster and
stronger.
That’s the way to go for Africa. Keep your shape as a team and play as a
unit and then augment that with a gung-ho, no-questions-asked mentality and
really impose your superior physicality on the game.
Go for it Africa.
Match Stats
3
|
Offsides
|
1
|
12
|
Fouls
|
13
|
8
|
Corners
|
5
|
21
|
Throw ins
|
16
|
8
|
Dribbles
|
7
|
15
|
Tackles
|
22
|
89%
|
Pass Success
|
78%
|
46%
|
Aerial Success
|
54%
|
58%
|
Possession
|
42%
|
Shots on Goal
Ivory Coast
|
Japan
|
|
21
|
Total Shots
|
7
|
5
|
On Target
|
2
|
9
|
Off Target
|
3
|
0
|
Hit Woodwork
|
0
|
7
|
Blocked
|
2
|
