Japan advanced to the second round of the World Cup on Thursday when they beat their direct rivals Denmark 3-1 in Group E.
Japan, needing only a draw with the Danes to reach the last 16, took a 2-0 halftime lead thanks to two direct free kicks, the first a spectacular long-range effort from Keisuke Honda in the 17th minute, the second a curling shot from the edge of the box by Yasuhito Endo.
Denmark pulled back a goal 10 minutes from time when Japanese keeper Eiji Kawashima saved a strike from Jon Dahl Tomasson but the Danish forward scored from the rebound. Japan scored a late third through Shinji Okazaki three minutes from time.
Denmark, who would have gone through with a victory, started promisingly but soon lost control to Japan, the second Asian team after South Korea to qualify for the second round. – Reuters