Ivory Coast ran away comfortable winners against Japan beating the Asians 2-0. The win came at a price however as their talismanic captain Didier Drogba picked up a right arm injury which forced him to go off after just 18 minutes.
As has been the norm in the previous few friendlies the game started at a frenzied pace. Ivory Coast captain Didier Drogba’s deflected free kick found its way into the back of the net to open the scoring for Les Éléphants.
Didier Drogba picked up an injury in the game
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Just 16 minutes into the game, a seemingly innocuous clash between Chelsea striker Didier Drogba and Brazilian born defender Marcus Tulio Tanaka left the big hitman dazed. Tulio went for the ball with his leg raised while simultaneously Drogba’s right arm came up. The clash forced Drogba off with the injury remaining a major concern for Ivory Coast
The game continued with Toure in particular looking dangerous. Doumbia wasted several opportunities after Toure set him up on the half hour mark.
Toure was not to be denied however as he finally claimed his goal when he turned in following a Saka Tiene free kick.
Shunsuke Nakamura’s free kick five minutes from the interval could have given the Japanese some hope but it was smartly saved by Ivorian keeper Boubacar Barry.
Yaya Toure raining goals!
The game, which was played over three 45 minute periods had little else of note.
Ivory Coast despite winning now have a major problem on their hand and will leave severely crippled if Didier Drogba does not shake off his injury nightmare on time. Being placed in the ‘group of death’ with Brazil and Portugal does not help their chances either.
Minnows Japan after another demoralizing defeat seem to be headed for the World Cup with no real expectations. They were swatted aside easily by the Africans and short of divine intervention look to be headed for an early exit.
