Japan v. Cameroon 1-0 14/Jun/10

First Round, Second Game, Group E, Day 4. (10 of 64)


Honda, the sole scorer.
[Photo: Getty Images via Telegraph]


With key absentees Cameroon let the victory pass in the second game of Group E at Bloemfontein earlier today. Japan now stand second in the respective standings after today's previous encounter. The key goal of Keisuke Honda gave frail hopes throughout the second portion of a rather dull match. The Africans were not sharp enough to put some advantage and cope with that horrid pressure of coming from behind. Since their last meeting in World Cup, dated well back in 2002, the Cameroonians made one of those dismal appearances such as the one in the Africa Nations Cup some six months from now.

All that's left for Le Guen's team is to throw everything against the Netherlands; a win will definitely put the Indomitable Lions back on track although the prospect of piercing the armour of the well-oiled Dutch machinery is by far difficult. We only see the real results in these types of tournaments well onto the very last second of every game.



Here, congratulated by friends.
[Photo: Eugene Hoshiko/AP via Guardian]


Benquerenca, the Portuguese referee for the match, began the encounter as the Japanese took possession which ultimately was shared with their counterparts. The match being closed to the first twenty minutes, saw some opportunities but nothing really as clear as the one that Honda galvanised. Near the 40th minute he encountered a rebound which he shot past Souleymanou. With the advantage the Japanese went to the dressing room with such a precious upper-hand.

In the following half the desperate attempts from the Cameroonians continued as there were only two or three clear chances for the Africans: the first a fierce Mbia post that shook the cross bar; the second was a strong challenge that Eto'o managed to deviate to land in the unlucky feet of Webo who shot at point plank just for Kawashima to save. Any remaining attempts from part of both teams proved worthless as the match was pretty much decided with the vital early strike from Honda.