NEWS

Japan got off to the perfect start in the 2010 FIFA World Cup on Monday by beating Cameroon 1-0 in their Group E opener at Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein, South Africa.

Keisuke Honda scored the crucial goal in the 39th minute and the Samurai Blue defended resolutely to secure their first World Cup win since the 2002 tournament and their first on foreign soil.
Both Japan and Cameroon started rather quietly, eying each other up cautiously.
With a dangerous attack consisting of Samuel Eto’o, Eric Choupo Moting and Pierre Webo,  Japan's defenders had their work cut out, but they coped superbly together with defensive midfielder Yuki Abe.
Right back Yuichi Komano, who started in place of the injured Yasuyuki Konno, played positively both in defense and attack.
Keisuke Honda led the attack supported by Daisuke Matsui and Yoshito Okubo, and the Japanese players covered each other well as they sought to deny Cameroon time on the ball.
There were few chances in the first half, but Matsui made some good moves on the right and had a shot at goal in the 17th minute.
In the 21st minute, Makoto Hasebe intercepted the ball on the right flank and crossed for Okubo. Cameroon goalkeeper Hamidou Souleymanou cleared the ball, but it dropped to Honda, who forced the keeper into another save.
The Africans came close in the 38th minute when Eyong Enoh hit a pass from Eric Choupo Moting, but Japan goalkeeper Eiji Kawashima snuffed out the threat.
A minute later, the Samurai Blue took the lead. Matsui controlled the ball on the right flank and sent in a deep cross with his left foot. Honda controlled the ball at the far post and fired into the roof of the net from close range.
Japan coach Okada pumped his arm in celebration and Honda was mobbed by his teammates.
After the break, Cameroon went on the offensive..
Four minutes into the second half, Eto’o cut in from the right and set up Choupo Moting, but his shot narrowly missed the target.
Cameroon dominated possession and had good efforts from Webo and Choupo Moting in the early part of the second half. Near the hour mark, defender Assou-Ekotto was halted by Yuji Nakazawa.
In the 82nd minute, Hasebe forced a fine save from Souleymanou. Substitute Shinji Okazaki hit the post with a followup shot, but he was offside.
Cameroon's best chance came four minutes from time when Stephane Mbia hit a thunderous 25-meter shot that hit the post. Substitute Achille Emana's followup effort was saved by Kawashima.
Cameroon launched a barrage of long balls at the Japanese defense as the game wound down. Webo had one final chance, but Kawashima reacted well to protect the 1-0 lead and ensure a historic win for Japan.