Honda’s goal helps Japan beat Cameroon 1-0

The encounter started on a pacy note with both the teams attacking each other’s citadel but none of them could open the goalmouth till Honda’s success.

Japan beautifully marked Cameroon’s star forward Samuel Eto’o,who was playing on the right flank but could hardly organise any attack by deceiving opponent defenders.

Cameroon got a golden opportunity in the 38th minute when Eyong Enoh found himself unmarked and went up with the ball before firing a shot at goal but it was collected by an alert custodian Eiji Kawashima.

Japan surged ahead in the 39th minute when Honda capitalised on a curling cross off Daisuke Matsui from the right flank.

The Cameroon defenders failed to intercept the floating Matsui pass which landed in front of an unmarked Honda,who did not fail to bang on target.

Cameroon played the trio of Inter Milan’s Eto’o,Pierre Webo and Eric Choupo Moting upfront,but their strategy did not click and they could rarely threaten their Asian opponent.

On the other hand,for Japan who did not have a memorable run-up to the FIFA World Cup finals,Honda and Yoshito Okubo led the attack while skipper Makoto Hasebe managed the midfield.

Japan led 1-0 during the breather.

After the change of sides,the battle intensified but the two goalkeepers remained mere spectators as most of the attacks did not reach to them.

Desperate for the equaliser,Cameroon started pressing hard right from the beginning of the second half and forward Eto’o opened up the opponent defence just four minutes after the resumption of play but Eric Choupo Moting’s right-footer missed the target.

With just five minutes remaining,Cameroon made a last-ditch effort when Stephane Mbia’s flying shot from 25 yards rattled the opponent crossbar but they could not sent the ball past goalkeeper Kawashima.

Although Pierre Webo took a wobbly shot on a cross during the injury time,Kawashima again made a quick scrambling save.