RECIFE, Brazil - Didier Drogba came off the bench to inspire Cote dIvoire to a 2-1 comeback victory over Japan in a World Cup Group C match on Saturday. Lou Gehrig Shirts . Drogba, who had been carrying an injury, came on in the 62nd minute when his team was losing 1-0. The talismanic strikers arrival immediately lifted Cote dIvoire team and Wilfried Bony and Gervinho scored with headers two minutes apart. Both goals were set up by curling crosses from defender Serge Aurier. Coach Sabri Lamouchis inspired substitution negated Keisuke Hondas first half goal that had given Japan the lead in a group that also includes Colombia and Greece. Colombia beat Greece 3-0 earlier on Saturday. The 36-year-old former Chelsea star started for Cote dIvoire in the last two World Cups, but neither of those sides made it out of group play. He probably lacks the fitness to play 90 minutes these days, but his impact as a substitute can be dramatic, as was shown on a rainy night in Recife. Now Cote dIvoire is in good shape to advance to the second round for the first time. Next up is Colombia, the group leader by virtue of goal difference. That match is Thursday, as is Japans next test against Greece. Japan had the better of the play in the first half, taking a lead through Hondas hard left-footed strike from about 12 yards in the 16th minute. Yuto Nagatomo slid a pass across the edge of the penalty area to Honda, who settled the ball cleanly with his right foot before belting his 21st career international goal under the cross bar and inside the near post. Japan had several chances to widen its lead in the opening 45 minutes, and will rue missing them. Just minutes after Hondas goal, Japan defender Atsuto Uchida made a run down the right and unloaded a point-blank shot that Cote dIvoire goalkeeper Boubacar Barry parried. Hondas curling shot from the edge of the penalty area soon after forced Barry to make a leaping save. Cote dIvoire dominated the second half but the sluggish-looking team was making little headway until the arrival of Drogba galvanized it. Within minutes, Bonys angled header found the goal and then Gervinho scored with a near post header that goalkeeper Eiji Kawashima should have saved. Japan could not make any impression on Cote dIvoire defence in the remaining 20 minutes. The game marked the World Cup debut for Lamouchi, a 42-year-old Frenchman of Moroccan descent who was widely seen as a surprise hire in 2012. It was also an unpopular move among fans in Cote dIvoire, who favoured a more experienced coach for a team which has been to the previous two World Cups, and which has a number of players who have flourished in Europes top professional leagues. Don Larsen Yankees Jersey . A noon downpour turned the 2.25-mile, 13-turn circuit into a slippery strand of roadway, but Bourdais proved to be the best on rain tires. The French driver made it through the first two qualifying rounds and into the Fast Six. Mickey Mantle Jersey . Liverpool is at the top at Christmas for the first time since 2008 after scoring 42 goals. Only Manchester City has been more lethal in front of goal, with the team — a point behind Liverpool and Arsenal in third — scoring 51 goals in 17 games. LONDON -- Tim Sherwoods first game in full charge of Tottenham ended in disappointment as Emmanuel Adebayors error gifted West Bromwich a 1-1 draw in the English Premier League on Thursday. Within two minutes of Christian Eriksen putting Tottenham ahead from a free kick, Adebayor miscued Morgan Amalfitanos cross and Jonas Olsson tapped in easily from close range to equalize in the 38th minute. The draw saw Tottenham drop to eighth place, while West Brom was 15th. "We should have played better and we are capable of playing better," Sherwood said. "I thought we could be a bit more adventurous around the penalty box and show a little more guile." Sherwood was hired on an 18-month contract to replace Andre Villas-Boas on Monday after two games in temporary charge, including a 3-2 victory at Southampton in the league last weekend. "Its a gamble because Ive never done it before," the 44-year-old Sherwood said. "Butt there are a lot of good managers who had never done it before and become a success. Roger Maris Shirts. I was never a professional footballer until I stepped on to the field." The fact that he only has a contract until the end of next season has prompted suggestions that Sherwood is keeping the seat warm for someone with more experience. "I regard (that) as an insult, but it is only an insult if I go and win all the games," Sherwood said. "What can we do? If we win all the games and someone else comes in and keeps it and brings someone else in after Ive won the league then Im going to Real Madrid," he added with a smile. West Brom is still searching for a replacement for Steve Clarke, who was fired last month. Keith Downing is in temporary charge. "I hope (an appointment) is close for the players sake," said Downing, who will stay in London with his players ahead of Saturdays game against West Ham. ' ' '
