Strike force... Ivory Coast’s Gervinho (left) and Didier Drogba.

Containing Colombia’s potent attacking game, even without injured striker Radamel Falcao, will be key to defensive-minded Greece’s attempt to upset the World Cup Group C favourites today.

The Greeks, who also play Japan and Ivory Coast in the group, have long said their first game will be the most crucial one with Colombia, who finished second in the South American qualifiers after a superb campaign, seen as the team to beat.

“We have it in our own hands to beat them,” said Greece’s versatile defender Giorgos Tzavellas.

“Colombia will have to find a way to score against us and that will be very difficult and I hopeful we will win this game. This first game is extremely important.”

Greece, who 10 years ago staged a major upset by becoming European champions, have forged a reputation as a hard-working defensive team, conceding just four goals in their 10 qualifiers.

“They have a high quality attack but everyone of us is experienced. We will only play to win,” said Greece defender Kostas Manolas.

Greece will need to be at their well-organised best with Colombia having outstanding attacking options with Jackson Martinez or Carlos Bacca and a constantly changing system.

For 64-year-old Colombia coach Jose Pekerman any result other than victory would be a disappointment and he will be banking on his European mercenaries to deliver, with 15 of his 23 players plying their trade across the Atlantic.

Captain Mario Yepes said Colombia would miss Falcao, injured defenders Aldo Ramirez and Luis Perea, along with midfielder Edwin Valencia, but their style would be the same whoever was on the pitch in the tournament.

“The idea is that Colombia plays the same way even though the names may change. We want to have the ball to play our flowing game.”

In the other Group C match, Ivory Coast midfielder Yaya Toure is struggling to shake off a hamstring injury in time to play Japan with his likely absence compounded by the return to fitness of Blue Samurai captain Makoto Hasebe.

The three-times African player of the year picked up the injury in April playing for club side Manchester City as they went on to win the English Premier League title.

Toure’s influence

Toure’s absence tonight would be a huge blow for the Ivorians.

The 31-year-old’s powerful bursts from midfield, leadership and goal-scoring ability are enough to give sleepless nights to a defensively liable Japanese side.

“We will try and do everything to ensure he can play,” Ivory Coast coach Sabri Lamouchi told reporters ahead of this clash at the Pernambuco arena in Recife.

Japan coach Alberto Zaccheroni has similar injury headaches with warm up wins over Zambia and Costa Rica earlier this month again showcasing their inability to keep clean sheets.

Hasebe’s return from a long standing knee injury to protect the vulnerable back four is a welcome boost and he is expected to slot in alongside slow, but steady playmaker Yushito Endo.

The Ivorians beat Japan 2-0 the last time the two met in a friendly in Switzerland prior to the South Africa World Cup, a game in which Didier Drogba suffered an elbow injury that hampered his participation at the finals.

The 36-year-old Galatasaray striker is a focal part of the Ivorian golden generation knowing this will be their final chance of making the knockout stages after group stage exits at the previous two World Cups following difficult draws.

Despite his advancing years, he is expected to start in a probable three-man forward line along with Salomon Kalou and Gervinho.

Key statistics

• Colombia return to the finals after a 16-year absence following three consecutive tournament appearances until 1998.

• Greece have not advanced past the group stage in their previous two World Cup appearances.

• Japan have managed to keep only one clean sheet in their last nine matches.

• Ivory Coast are aiming for a first appearance in the knockout stages at their third World Cup, while Japan have twice made the last 16 in their four finals.

Previous meetings

• Colombia and Greece have played once before with Colombia winning a 1994 friendly 2-0.

• Japan and Ivory Coast have played three, all friendly, matches with Japan winning twice and losing once.