Japan beats Cameroon to achieve 1st away WC victory

Group E, 14:00 GMT, June 14, 2010
Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein, South Africa





Japan
1 - 0
Cameroon


Japan recorded their first away World Cup victory when they beat Cameroon at the Free State Stadium.

Scoring Summary

Japan	Cameroon
Keisuke Honda (39')

Match Stats

Japan

Cameroon

3(2)	Shots (on Goal)	9(2)
20	Fouls	29
0	Corner Kicks	3
4	Offsides	2
43%	Time of Possession	57%
1	Yellow Cards	1
0	Red Cards	0
2	Saves	1

Match Information

Stadium:	Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein, South Africa
Attendance:	31,600
Match Time:	14:00 GMT
Official(s):	Olegário Benquerença (Referee)

Man of the Match: Daisuke Matsui - In a match of little excitement, Matsui was one of the few players to offer any attacking impetus.

MATCH SUMMARY

Japan verdict: Japan had two shots on target in the entire game and scored a lucky goal. That said, they still picked up the three points which, with Denmark losing to Netherlands, leaves them second in the group. They must improve on this performance but at least they can look to do that with three points secured.

Cameroon verdict: If they showed more composure on the ball in the final third they would have got something from this game. Though they had six shots, only one was on target and they wasted several promising positions.

Could do better: Paul le Guen - In opting to leave Alex Song on the bench and playing Samuel Eto'o in a wide position, the Cameroon coach failed to make the most of his best players. And Cameroon will now have to get something against Netherlands to make it through the group.

Stat attack: Forty-nine fouls in this match is the highest combined total at this year's World Cup.