Controversy. Southampton's Maya Yoshida, who has already been booked, challenges Yaya Toure inside the Japan area and the powerful Ivory Coast man crumples to the ground. No penalty. Replays show the referee was right but Yaya is unhappy and lets the official know all about it.

Ivory Coast boss Sabri Lamouchi needs to do something. Japan's lead might be narrow but they are looking very comfortable.

Japan might be leading but Ivory Coast are well ahead when it comes to chances created. What's this? The game's first substitution is about to be made. But Didier Drogba stays where he is as Japan captain Makoto Hasebe paves the way for Yasuhito Endo's arrival.

New half, same old Ivory Coast. It would appear Wilfried Bony has left his scoring boots behind in Swansea as he wastes another golden chance. Can someone get them to him before the final whistle? That latest miss prompts movement on the bench as Didier Drogba starts warming up on the sidelines.

No Didier Drogba yet for Ivory Coast. We're back under way in Recife.

Bob, Bristol: What a luxury to watch such a game at such a ridiculous hour.

BBC World Service reporter John Bennett in Recife: "Ivory Coast have wasted their chances so surely it won't be too long before former Chelsea striker Didier Drogba is sent on to try to change the game. It would be his sixth World Cup match and he'll be looking for his third World Cup goal.

"The Ivorian fans are still confident; they haven't stopped singing and dancing during this game. As for Japan, their Italian coach Alberto Zaccheroni will be delighted. Ivory Coast are struggling to cope with the likes of Keisuke Honda, and Yaya Toure hasn't been allowed to dominate the game."

Chibuzo:, external Ivory Coast are piling the pressure on Japan. Final ball is lacking.

Hilary:, external Ivory Coast's poor touches are letting them down. They are becoming as mediocre as Cameroon.

Andrew Tarpy:, external If Japan can get the ball near the Ivory Coast box you feel they can score more with Shinji Kagawa and Keisuke Honda.

BBC World Service reporter John Bennett in Recife: "He's one of the youngest head coaches at this World Cup and Sabri Lamouchi is under real pressure at half-time. He knows what's coming if Ivory Coast lose this game - questions will be asked about why he dropped Didier Drogba despite the fact that he was arguably his most impressive player in the warm-up matches."

So, the first country to book their plane ticket to Brazil are ahead at the interval. Alberto Zaccheroni's side deserve their lead but you sense there's more goals in this. Certainly if Ivory Coast can discover a cutting edge.

Arthur Boka is a defender who likes to get forward. He's had as many chances as Ivory Coast's forward line and his latest effort is well held by Eiji Kawashima. Half-time is imminent.

Image source, Reuters

And another chance goes begging. This time Salomon Kalou is left looking sheepish as his free header from the edge of the six-yard area is nodded high and wide. Dear oh dear.

There's a band playing inside the ground. Lots of trumpets, drums and horns. The noise levels increase as Wilfried Bony lashes another chance over the bar. The Africans need to start making these chances count.

So close for Ivory Coast. Japan keeper Eiji Kawashima does well to beat out Arthur Boka's fierce drive and the balls falls for Wilfried Bony. But Gervinho is in an offside position as the Swansea forward attempts to force the ball over the line.

Garry, Manchester: Japan have an excellent, balanced midfield with Kagawa, Endo and Honda creating and Makoto Hasebe holding. They also have a pair of good scorers in Okazaki and the emerging Kakitani. If they handle the physical presence of Bony up front, Japan have a real chance.

Still awake? This is actually another decent game. Have we seen a bad match yet at this tournament? Ivory Coast's muscle is causing the Japanese defence problems but the Asian champions look dangerous on the break with their pace.

Ahmer:, external The Ivory Coast goalie looks nervous. Japan could get a second here.

John:, external I thought Japan would cause problems early on until it settled down, I bet Drogba has said to the coach "put me on".

Ian:, external Honda 'motors' into the area and 'drives' home a wonderful finish. Some 'engine' on that man.

Very good, Ian. Japan were certainly in a different gear early on.

Yaya Toure seems to be on a one-man mission to haul Ivory Coast back into this. A surging run by the Manchester City man causes major panic in the Japanese defence. Toure had earlier blazed over from a free-kick before teeing up a chance for Salomon Kalou which is spurned. Japan have the lead but for how much longer?

John Bennett, BBC World Service reporter in Recife: "Between them, Ivory Coast's front three - Wilfried Bony, Gervinho and Salomon Kalou - scored 50 goals last season.

"Behind them, Yaya Toure scored 24 goals for Manchester City. So they should have enough firepower to get back into this game.

"Yet again though, they've been let down by their Achilles heel - defending. Sol Bamba and Didier Zokora have never convinced as a centre-back pairing. Kolo Toure will be extremely frustrated to have been left on the bench."

How will Ivory Coast respond to falling behind? Well, not very well actually. Schalke's Atsuto Uchida dances past one African defender before unleashing a powerful shot from inside the area that Boubacar Barry blocks. Japan are well on top. And Didier Drogba has still to crack a smile on the substitutes bench.