Clinical Japan top Danes to progress
RUSTENBERG, South Africa (AP) — First-half free kick goals from Yusuhito Endo helped give Japan a 3-1 win over Denmark yesterday and send the Asian country into the round of 16 of the World Cup.
The Danes replied in the 81st when Jon Dahl Tomasson tapped in the rebound from his own penalty kick, but Shinji Okazaki slotted into an empty net in the 87th to seal the win.
Japan took a 2-0 lead after goals from free kicks within a space of less than 15 minutes as the Japanese collected their second victory in Group E. They ended in second place on six points compared with three for Denmark.
The Japanese reached the knock-out round for the second time, and will meet Paraguay. They also progressed in 2002 when they were co-hosts, but missed out in two other editions.
“For Japan it’s a big win,” Honda said. “I’m glad we won but I am not satisfied. The next game is more important. I want to show the Japanese that nothing is impossible.”
Denmark failed to advance from the group stage for the first time in four World Cup appearances.
“Our team has a strength that others don’t have,” Japan coach Takeshi Okada said. “We are truly united. We wanted to demonstrate that football is a team sport.”
Honda got his and Japan’s second goal of the tournament in the 17th with a blistering free kick from the right of the Danish area which went over the wall and swerved beyond Thomas Sorensen’s reach into the far corner. The Danish goalkeeper seemed fooled by the dipping swerve, diving late and failing to get his hands on the ball.
Endo’s free kick was from directly in front of the Danish goal and he curled his shot around the wall. Despite leaping to his left, Sorensen couldn’t get to it.
Denmark were awarded a penalty when Makoto Hasebe brought down Daniel Agger. Tomasson hit the ball at Eiji Kawashima but the goalkeeer couldn’t hold it and the Danish captain tapped in the rebound.
Honda tormented the Danish defence with his tight dribbling before passing sideways for Okazaki, a substitute, to put the result beyond Denmark’s reach.
The final group match decided the second team to advance, as the Netherlands had already ensured progression. The Dutch beat Cameroon 2-1 in the other group game for their third win and took top spot.