Match Played On – June 24, 2010

Final Score: Japan – 3, Denmark – 1

Japan progressed to the rounds of 16 by defeating Denmark in a convincing manner, 3-1. The spectacular goals from Keisuke Honda and Yusuhito Endo helped Japanese cause to emerge as the winners in their Group E league match. The pumping Japanese striker quoted ”For Japan it’s a big win, ‘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.”. Japanese certainly have an uphill task ahead where they will face Paraguay on Tuesday – June 29, 2010. Japanese coach Takeshi Okada quoted that ”Our team has a strength that others don’t have. We are truly united. We wanted to demonstrate that soccer is a team sport.”

Honda got his second goal of the tournament against Denmark in the 17th minute. He took a powerful kick from the right of the Danish area and the ball swirled in the far corner, far from the reach of Danish goalkeeper, Thomas Sorensen.

Japanese scored a quick goal in 14th minute through free kick. Shinji Okazaki scored the last goal from Japanese side in the 87th minute. Japanese finished their league matches with 6 points. Denmark is on number two position with 3 points while Cameroon is the last in the group. For the second time in history, Japanese have reached the knock out stage of the FIFA tournament. They qualified for the knock out stage in 2002 when Japan and South Korea were the co-hosts.

Endo joined the party and claimed another goal for Japan when he hit the free kick from outside of the penalty area. Despite Danish goalkeeper’s commendable attempt to stop the goal, attempt proved futile.

Danish captain, Tomasson took a successful penalty attempt when Makoto Hasebe brought down Daniel Agger. The Japanese goalkeeper Eiji Kawashima could not hold onto the powerful knock from Danish captain.

Related posts:

1. Paraguay beat Japan : FiFA World Cup Updates
2. World Cup News : Japan overpowers Denmark to cruise into last 16
3. FIFA World Cup : Sneijder shoots down Japan to see Dutch through, Cameroon out
4. FIFA World Cup Updates : South Korea aiming at Uruguay’s rear flank zones : midfielder
5. FIFA World Cup match against Dutch retains high viewer rating in Japan