TEAMS - IVORY COAST: Barry; Boka, Zokora, Kalou, Tiote, Gervinho, Bony, Aurier, Yaya Touré, Serey, Bamba. /// JAPAN: Kawashima, Uchida, Honda, Nagatomo, Morishige, Okazaki, Kagawa, Yamaguchi, Hasebe, Osako, Yoshida.
World Cup / Group Stage
Arena Pernambuco / 15.06.2014
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Live
Live Updates
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Updated 15/06/2014 at 03:53 GMT+1
52'
Uchida hangs a high ball from the right towards the run of Osako but the striker had no chance of getting that. Not really playing to their strengths there Japan.
50'
A rare foray forward for Japan ends with Makoto Hasebe flashing wide of the near post.
48'
WHAT A MISS! The wasteful finishing continues. A slick move sees the ball worked to the right to Kalou. His deflected cross-shot falls to Bony six yards out but he somehow heads off target with the goal gaping.
48'
Ivory Coast look to have switched to three at the back in this half. Will it pay off?
47'
A nice selection of photos of the crowd.
46'
KICK OFF! Japan gather for a quick huddle before getting this game back underway.
45+1'
HT: Japan leada courtesy of Honda's magnificent 20 yard shot. The Ivory Coast need to sharpen their finishing skills. Cue Drogba anyone?
45'
Boka tries his luck with a cross-shot from the left but it's too easy for Eiji Kawashima. The Japan keeper is at it again seconds later as he collects a dangerous low ball at his near post.
44'
More superb defending by the Blue Samurai as they snuff out another dangerous attack. Gervinho weaves his way down the right and fizzes a low ball to the near post towards Toure, but he's well blocked off.
43'
GLARING MISS! Another opportunity goes begging as Kalou plants a free header from a left-wing cross well wide.
41'
The Elephants are pushing strong, late in this half. Can they find that leveller just prior to the interval? They've had a couple of half chances but Japan have defended stoutly.
40'
Earlier, Colombia beat Greece 3-0 to get off to a solid start in Group C.
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Image credit: Getty Images
39'
MISCUE! Die picks out Bony with a clever cross from the right but the Swansea man completely miskicks and the ball flies harmlessly wide.
38'
PHOTO: The goal that separates the sides is celebrated in style.
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Image credit: AFP
37'
The corner is well defended and Ivory Coast will build from the back once again.
36'
Honda slaloms his way towards the edge fo the Elephant's area and lets fly, but his shot is deflected over the crossbar. A real let off for the African outfit then.
35'
WHAT A SHOT! Boka picks up the loose ball from the corner and hammers a 30-yarder at goal that the keeper can only parry. Bony picks up the rebound but is flagged offside.
34'
A slick Ivory Coast move gives Gervinho a sight of goal but his low shot is deflected away for a corner.
32'
STAT: Shinji Okazaki was the top scorer in the 2014 Asian World Cup qualifiers (8 goals). He was also the last Japanese player to net in the finals prior to Honda's opener. (against Denmark on 24 June 2010).
31'
But it's Arthur Boka who catches everyone by surprise by clipping it beyond the wall and inches over the bar.
30'
Another free kick in a dangerous position for the Ivory Coast. Toure is lining it up 25 yards out..