Group C Results:
Ivory Coast 2-1 Japan
Colombia 3-0 Greece
Two second half goals in as many minutes were enough for Africa’s representatives Ivory Coast to kick start their 2014 World Cup campaign with victory over Asian champions Japan.
Keisuke Honda gave the Blue Samurai a lead with a brilliant strike as early as the 16th minute but it was The Elephants that had the last laugh following an inspired second half performance.
Sabri Lamouche surprisingly named a starting team without ex-Chelsea striker Didier Drogba but it was his introduction almost after an hour that inspired a comeback.
Swansea striker who had earlier missed a glorious opportunity made amends equalizing for the Africans after guiding Aurier’s cross into the far corner.
It took just two minutes for the Ivorians to lead for the first time in the game thanks to AS Roma’s Gervinho header yet again off Aurier’s cross.
The win was Africa’s first at this year’s edition after Cameroon fell to Mexico. The victory puts the Ivorians second on the log with Colombia who humbled 2004 Euro winners Greece with a 3-0 victory. Pablo Armero, Teofilo Gutierrez and James Rodriguez netted for the Colombians.
