Cote d’Ivoire takes on Asian champions Japan in  World Cup Group C’s Opening Today

Today's World Cup Group C’s opening clash between Asian champions Japan and Cote d’Ivoire  is an opportunity for both sides to jump start their campaign in a group which everyone has equal chance of making it to the next stage.

Today’s clash will be only the fourth meeting between the two nations and the Blue Samurai lead the head to head history with two wins in three opportunities, a record Alberto Zaccheroni’s side will be hoping to extend in Brazil, where they are favourites to top a group which also contains Colombia and Greece.

Sabir Lamouchi’s Elephants did, however, claim the spoils in the most recent encounter, with a 2-0 victory in 2010, and are also tipped to beat Japan for a second time. 

The previous World Cups were disappointing as they failed to navigate their way out difficult groups into the second round.

This time around, the Ivorians have a point to prove – in what is seen as the last chance for the ‘Golden Generation’. Similar to Colombia, Cote d’Ivoire have a deadly group of offensive players. Young, fast and upcoming wingers on the sides, and two dominant older central midfielders in Yaya Toure and Cheick Tiote. Up front features strikers like Wilfried Bony, Gervinho, Salomon Kalou and lastly the greatest player in Ivorian history, Didier Drogba. However, the back line seems to be questionable. 

Fans of the Elephants will be hoping their exciting attacking options, which also include Drogba’s former clubmate Salomon Kalou and ex-Arsenal attacker Gervinho, can take advantage of a technically excellent, but defensively suspect Japan team.

Blue Samurai boss Zaccheroni, who boasts a managerial resume including Italian giants AC Milan, Inter Milan, Juventus and Lazio, has revelled in ridding Japan of their reputation as a functional, dull, compact side.

After slumping out of the last World Cup following a stalemate, and subsequent penalty shootout pain, against Paraguay, the East Asian outfit have undergone a change of identity. Zaccheroni has transformed the team and promised they would be aggressive in attack, with his key men Keisuke Honda and Shinji Kagawa leading the way.

AC Milan’s Honda, and Manchester United man Kagawa, both failed to shine consistently for their clubs in this campaign. The duo are still revered by their nation, however, and will be expected to shoulder their side’s creative burden.

SOURCE: Daily Graphic