By Kenneth Tan/Red Sports
South Africa, Thursday, June 24, 2010 — Japan became the second Asian nation to make it to the last 16 after South Korea two days ago. They finished second behind Holland after a superb 3-1 victory over Denmark.
Meanwhile, Holland cemented their top spot in Group E with a 100% record of three wins after a late 2-1 victory over already-eliminated Cameroon.
Who says the Jabulani is difficult to strike? Let our Asian counterparts show their more illustrious European opposition how to hit a perfect dead ball.
Two days after Park Chu-Young scored the tournament’s first ever free kick for South Korea, Japan upstaged their neighbours by producing a couple of free kicks of the highest quality.
The first was all about power — Keisuke Honda produced an absolute left-footed belter from 30 metres out into the top left corner on 17 minutes. The second was all about placement — Yasuhito Endo’s curling effort from 20 metres fizzled right into the bottom right corner, giving Thomas Sorensen no chance at all.
Endo nearly got his second on 47 minutes when Sorensen misjudged the flight of his 40-metre free kick and spilled it onto the post.
Jon Dahl Tomasson reduced the arrears for the Danes on 81 minutes when he slotted in a rebound from his own missed penalty. However it was Japan who got their third goal three minutes from time when Shinji Okazaki tapped into an open goal from Honda’s reverse pass.
Japan will now face Paraguay in their second round match while Holland take on surprise qualifiers Slovakia.
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More News and Reactions on Cameroon vs Holland
Video highlights of the game
| GROUP E | P | W | D | L | F | A | GD | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
HOLLAND  | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 1 | +4 | 9 |
JAPAN  | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 2 | +2 | 6 |
DENMARK  | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 6 | -3 | 3 |
CAMEROON  | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 5 | -3 | 0 |
For the World Cup fixtures list with Singapore broadcast timings as well as group tables and the list of CCs with free screenings, go to: http://redsports.sg/2010-world-cup-fixtures-groups/
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