Japan advances to the second round of World Cup matches with its 3–1 win over Denmark Thursday evening.
Japan, needing a win or a tie to advance, scored two goals on direct free kicks, the first time that has happened in 36 years. Denmark, needing the win because of an inferior goal differential, was unable to score until the final minutes, helped by a penalty kick on a questionable call.
Denmark came out shooting, but between missed shots and the efforts of Japan’s keeper Eiji Kawashima, couldn’t get on the board.
Denmark came out shooting, but between missed shots and the efforts of Japan’s keeper Eiji Kawashima, couldn’t get on the board.
Japan’s first goal came on a free kick 17 minutes in. Keisuke Honda drove a shot from 35 yards out around the wall and into the left side of the net, as Danish keeper Thomas Sorensen started cheating to his left, and couldn’t make it back.
Thirteen minutes later Japan got another free kick from about the same range. This time Honda lined up to take it but Yasuhito Endo cut in front of him and curled the ball just inside the far post.
Thirteen minutes later Japan got another free kick from about the same range. This time Honda lined up to take it but Yasuhito Endo cut in front of him and curled the ball just inside the far post.
Denmark controlled possession in the second half, but Japan’s defense was impenetrable. Meanwhile Japan’s counterattacks continued to generate good chances.
With only 10 minutes left in Denmark’s 2010 World cup run, the referee called Japan’s Makoto Hasebe for a very questionable foul, giving Denmark a penalty kick.
Jon Dahl Tomasson, Denmark’s second-highest-scoring player with 51 career goals, stepped up to take the shot. Kawashima stopped the shot, but the rebound bounced right back to Tomasson, who had the whole net open.
Denmark still needed two goals two advance—only a win would work. And seven minutes later Japan made sure that wouldn’t happen.
Yoshito Okubo sent a ball through to Honda who dribbled down the left past two Denmark defenders, and at the last moment, with Sorenson coming out to cut down the angle, crossed to an unmarked Shinji Okazaki who parked the ball in the open net to seal Japan’s win.
With only 10 minutes left in Denmark’s 2010 World cup run, the referee called Japan’s Makoto Hasebe for a very questionable foul, giving Denmark a penalty kick.
Jon Dahl Tomasson, Denmark’s second-highest-scoring player with 51 career goals, stepped up to take the shot. Kawashima stopped the shot, but the rebound bounced right back to Tomasson, who had the whole net open.
Denmark still needed two goals two advance—only a win would work. And seven minutes later Japan made sure that wouldn’t happen.
Yoshito Okubo sent a ball through to Honda who dribbled down the left past two Denmark defenders, and at the last moment, with Sorenson coming out to cut down the angle, crossed to an unmarked Shinji Okazaki who parked the ball in the open net to seal Japan’s win.
Keisuke Honda was awarded “Man of the Match” for the second time running.
