Kagawa wants world to take notice of Japan in Brazil

June 14 (Reuters) - Asian champions Japan need to show the world how good they are and the best place to display their abilities is in Brazil, according to midfielder Shinji Kagawa.

The Blue Samurai won a record fourth Asian Cup in Qatar three years ago and were the first side to qualify for this year's finals last June when they reached a fifth successive World Cup since making their debut appearance in 1998.

Alberto Zaccheroni's men will open their Group C campaign against Ivory Coast on Saturday and are confident of improving on their last-16 exit to Paraguay in South Africa four years ago.

"We want the world to find out about Japan and how well we're capable of playing," Manchester United midfielder Kagawa was quoted as saying by the Kyodo news agency. "Because I still don't think we're that well known yet around the world.

"We go into the game like we always do through our usual preparations. Naturally, I think each and every one of us feels a bit of pressure because this is a massive tournament.

"But we've got to use that to get the most out of ourselves. We've always felt the first game is crucial. We need to have faith in one another and keep fighting."

The former Borussia Dortmund player, who has been moved to the left flank by Italian Zaccheroni, thinks the first game will be crucial if Japan are to advance from an open-looking group which also contains Colombia and Greece.

"We've got to play as a team at both ends of the pitch in order for us to have a chance of winning," Kagawa, who was not selected for South Africa in 2010, said. "Everyone has to work hard; it was like that four years ago.

"Most teams tend to be conservative in the first game. Not a whole lot separates you from the opposition; it's about concentration, or one lapse of it.

"We believe we can do it, and we've got to believe we can do it. I'm excited."

(Writing by Sudipto Ganguly; Editing by John O'Brien)

Drogba benched for Ivory Coast v Japan

By Toby Davis

RECIFE, Brazil, June 14 (Reuters) - Yaya Toure was included in Ivory Coast's starting lineup for their opening World Cup Group C game against Japan on Saturday after recovering from a hamstring injury.

Talismanic striker Didier Drogba, however, drops to the bench, with Swansea City's Wilfried Bony coming in to lead the Ivorian line.

Japan, who have kept only one clean sheet in their last nine matches, welcome back captain Makoto Hasebe to provide cover in front of a porous back four.

Japan will look to Manchester United's Shinji Kagawa to provide their creative spark.

(Reporting by Toby Davis; editing by Nigel Hunt)

The Ecuadorians are man-marking Shaqiri. Or as ITV says "they'll all over him like a rash". In terms of unappetizing and unilluminating sports' metaphors, that's up there. Do you escape a metaphorical rash? If so, how do you do so while not also evading your own epidermis? Maybe you get a teammate to apply a salve to it? Regardless, Shaqiri cuts inside from the right, exchanges passes with Inler and gets a shot away. It's saved. His boil remains untreated, I guess.

The Swiss win a corner. Shaqiri takes it. It's deep to the far post, and somehow Behrami, diving away from goal, heads it back and down. Dominguez gets hands to it, then bobbles it, but is right on top of it before anyone in a red jersey can pounce. Moments later there's a half-hearted appeal for a penalty for handball by the Swiss. Not given.

Two decent chances for Switzerland since the goal. They're playing with a lot more pace and going directly at the Ecuadorian defense in the second half.

Not that Ecuador aren't pressing either: Valencia runs half the width of the 18 yard box and hits the side netting with a high, right-footed shot.

Ohhh and that goal was in fact onside. Drmic was onside when the pass was played. He was offside when Shaqiri dummied the ball, but the last touch came off Ecuador. It should have stood.

And then Shaqiri hits the side netting from close range, and Benaglio tries to sweep up a long ball from Ecuador, but wiffs at it and the ball rolls toward goal. Von Bergen gets to it first though.

This is not looking likely to end in a tie.

Bosnia almost scored, this is not going to be Spain-Netherlands I think.