Story of the half: The Ivory Coast has had the ball, but Japan’s had the chances. Waiting to pressure until play moves into their half, Japan’s been able to couple the Ivorians’ poor execution with key stops and timely fouls, leaving Eiji Kawashima relatively untested in goal.
At the other end, a 15th minute blast by Keisuke Honda inside Boubacar Barry’s right post has proved the difference, but one another chance minutes showed Japan has the execution its opponents lacked. Though the Les Elephants would finish the half with more possession (60) and shots (12-3), Alberto Zaccheroni’s team played most of the first 45 minutes on their terms.
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Goals:
15' - Honda - After allowing the Ivorians to control the ball over the first quarter-hour, quick play from a deep throw-in allowed Japan to generate the game’s first good chance. Turning on a ball rolled in from the flank by Yuto Nagatomo, Honda evaded Yaya Touré and blasted a shot at Barry from near 12 yards out. The Ivorian keeper had almost no time to react before the ball had flexed the back of the next, leaving Japan up, 1-0.
Other key moments:
35' - Arthur Boka’s blast - For most of the first half, the story was the same. Japan would drop back, engage at about 45 yards out, and see that pressure produce a turnover. Near the half-hour mark, however, that started to change, and off a 35th minute corner kick, the Ivorians finally had their first shot on target. With a heavy left-footed blast from 31 yards out, Boka forced Kawashima to parry the shot just to the right of goal. Had Wilfried Bony’s position not sent the assistant’s flag up, the Ivorians may have had their equalizer.
39' - Touré breaks through - As the half went on, Touré seemed to figure out how to make his mark. After the Ivorians pushed Japan into their penalty area, Touré would pick his spots to jump into the box, something that nearly produced a chance for Gervinho in the 39th minute. After carrying the ball to the left of goal, Touré's layoff allowed the Roma attacker to wind up behind a shot. Only a Japan block kept Kawashima from getting involved.
Key players:
- Yaya Touré, Ivory Coast - This feels like a game Touré would play with Manchester City. Japan is intent on keeping play in front of them. It’s up to Touré to find and exploit a weakness.
- Eiji Kawashima, Japan - Kawashima was only called on to make two saves in the first half, but at this rate, the second half will prove more difficult. The Ivorians outshot Japan 12-3 over the first 45 minutes. Kawashima should be prepared for more of those shots to find goal.
Numbers to know:
- Corners: Japan 4, Ivory Coast 3 - They may not have much of the ball, but when they has it, Japan found ways to be dangerous.
- Blocked shots: Japan 5, Ivory Coast 1 - Instead of blasting away, the Ivorians are going to have to probe.
Question(s) for the second half:
- When will Didier Drogba come on? This isn’t just about the Ivory Coast’s most famous player. If this keeps up, Les Elephants will need a direct option.