Paraguay fightback thwarts Eriksson

WORLD CUP: Sven Goran Eriksson's first match in charge of the Ivory Coast finished in a 2-2 draw against Paraguay as the two qualifiers for South Africa fine-tuned their preparations in Thonon Les-Bains, France.

By The Newsroom

Published 31st May 2010, 11:27 BST

Updated 31st May 2010, 11:27 BST

The game sprang into life after the interval following a goalless first half.

Chelsea striker Didier Drogba opened the scoring for the Elephants nine minutes after the break when he netted his 44th international goal with a deflected free-kick, and Hibernian defender Sol Bamba extended their advantage with a 74th-minute volley.

But substitute Lucas Barrios pulled one back for the South Americans with a low shot a minute later and Aureliano Torres equalised a minute from time.

Former England coach Eriksson, who took up his new post on March 28, will oversee one more friendly – against Japan on Friday – before leading his team in South Africa, where the Ivorians will play Portugal, Brazil and North Korea in the so-called 'group of death'.

The Paraguayans, who tackle Greece in their final warm-up friendly on Wednesday, have been drawn in Group F alongside Italy, Slovakia and New Zealand.