Japan Win Opening World Cup Match Against Cameroon 1-0!

Written By: guyjin on June 15, 2010 No Comment

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Japan defied all of their pre-tournament form last night, with a steady and defiant 1-0 win over top ranked African nation Cameroon. Japan, ranked 45 in the world, defeated the 19th ranked Cameroon with some great defensive pressure, matching the African team’s physical presence. Their defence was basically inpenetrable, and after a series of recent matches where they found it difficult to find the back of the net, striker Honda Keisuke struck a goal from an impressive pass from Matsui Daisuke in the 39th minute of the first half. Honda’s goal came the day after his 24th birthday.

Team captain, Hasebe Makoto was quoted as saying that “our defenders know each other better now, and the coordination between them is much better”. The four backs, Nakazawa, Tulio, Nagatomo and Komano withstood a lot of pressure from Cameroon, including a late kick from Mbia that hit the post.

The win was Japan’s first World Cup victory on foreign soil, and was the first time that they have managed a win from their opening match at a World Cup. They now sit in second position in Group E, behind Netherlands who won 2-0 over Denmark in an earlier match. Japan will be hoping to pull out a draw against powerhouse Netherlands in the next match on Saturday, before trying to take their fate into their own hands with a win against Denmark in the final match of the qualifying round next week. But with an opening win, even a draw against one or other of their next two opponents could be enough to see them through to the next round, depending on other results.

Team Japan coach Okada Takeshi famously suggested months ago that Japan were aiming for the top 4 at this tournament, but their form over the last several months has been very poor. A top 4 spot still seems very far away at this point, with likely matches ahead against the likes of Italy, Spain or Portugal if they make the final 16. But for now at least, Japan can bask in the joy of starting off their campaign with a well fought win, keeping the door ajar ever so slightly to Okada’s fanciful dream…