RECIFE, Brazil, June 15 — Japan’s Keisuke Honda’s fierce left-foot drive gave his side a 1-0 halftime lead over Ivory Coast in World Cup Group C after a pulsating 45 minutes at the Pernambuco arena in Recife.

Ivory Coast dominated the opening exchanges, but Japan took the lead after 16 minutes when Honda rifled home. 

The goal opened the game up but, though both sides had plenty of chances, neither managed to add to the scoreline before the break. — Reuters