Thursday June 24, 2010 Group Stage: Group E Finished Royal Bafokeng Stadium

Denmark 1 - 3 Japan

  • Tomasson 81’
  • Honda 17’
  • Endo 30’
  • Okazaki 87’

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  1. Japan eliminate Danes

    Japan eliminate Danes

    Japan reached the last 16 of the World Cup for the first time on foreign soil as they beat Denmark 3-1 in Rustenburg. More

  • Live Commentary

    Time:90'
    • Denmark
    • Japan
    • 90+4' FULL-TIME! Japan reach the last 16 of the World Cup for the first time on foreign soil as they beat Denmark 3-1 at the Royal Bafokeng stadium in Rustenburg.
    • 90+3' Japan still running.
    • 90+2' This is Japan’s fourth successive World Cup. This streak started on their World Cup debut in 1998. Their best performance came in 2002, when they reached the last 16.
    • 90+1' Agger's shot strikes the diving Abe.
    • 90' Inamoto scored twice at the 2002 World Cup.
    • 89' Junichi Inamoto replaces Endo.
    • 88' Okubo replaced by Yasuyuki Konno.
    • 87' GOAL!! That makes it safe as Okazaki taps into an empty net but the third goal was all about Honda who beat Rommedahl with a sublime drag back before squaring to the sub.
    • 86' Japan had not scored in three of their last four matches against European opponents before tonight.
    • 85' Okubo is onside but drives straight at Sorensen.
    • 84' Sorensen claims Komano's low cross.
    • 83' Japan win their second corner.
    • 82' And Tomasson seemed to pull a thigh muscle in the process of scoring but he has to carry on as Denmark have used all their subs.
    • 81' GOAL! Tomasson's penalty is saved by Kawashima's diving to his right but the veteran tucks away the rebound just! The ball squirting off the outside of his boot into the corner.
    • 80' PENALTY! Agger is pushed over by Hasebe and referee Jerome Damon has no hesitation in pointing to the penalty spot.
    • 79' That sums up Denmark's night as Larsen's shot on the turn strikes the crossbar.
    • 78' Denmark know there is no way back now.
    • 77' A lovely ball is flicked goalbound by the head of Okazaki but straight into the gloves of Sorensen.
    • 76' Match Image Sorensen almost gifts Japan a third
    • 75' Rommedahl's chip is cleared by the immaculate Nakazawa.
    • 74' Larsen's header floats into the hands of Kawashima.
    • 73' Matsui is replaced by Shinji Okazaki.
    • 72' Nagatomo with another blistering run but his shot is straight at Sorensen.
    • 71' Matsui's cross is charged down by Agger.
    • 70' Rommedahl gets into the area and pulls back to Tomasson who fails to make any contact from 12 yards. That is five chances he has spurned tonight.
    • 69' A crowd of just under 28,000 tonight.
    • 68' A great hit from Eriksen but just over the crossbar.
    • 67' optajean: "3 of the 4 direct free kick goals at the 2010 World Cup have been scored by Asian sides."
    • 66' Bendtner booked for an arm across the face of Nakazawa.
    • 65' Sorensen this time with a comfortable save from Okubo.
    • 64' 18-year-old Eriksen made his debut in a friendly against Austria in April and Ajax coach Martin Jol believes he has a great future. "His vision is absolutely amazing," Jol said. "He notices everything that's happening around him when he's in possession."
    • 63' The final change for Denmark as Christian Eriksen comes on for Kahlenberg.
    • 62' Rommedahl's cross cleared by Tulio.
    • 61' Agger's free-kick is comfortably held by Kawashima.
    • 60' Kawashima pushes away Jakob Poulsen's drive.
    • 59' "The way that free-kick veered unpredictably was more like Toyota than Honda," the Armchair Pundit on Twitter. http://twitter.com/alex__chick
    • 58' Great move from Japan but Honda has strayed offside.
    • 57' A second change for Denmark as Soren Larsen replaces Per Kroldrup, a striker for a defender.
    • 56' Endo's free-kick is headed clear by Simon Poulsen.
    • 55' Honda is quick and dangerous and is bundled over by Agger.
    • 54' Brilliant ambitious run from Yuto Nagatomo but the shot with his weaker right foot is always rising.
    • 53' Better from Denmark but Tomasson's first touch is heavy and that allows Kawashima to come out bravely and save at his feet.
    • 52' Rommedahl's cross brushes the head of Tomasson and does just enough to put off Kahlenberg who is in space at the back post. He can only poke out a leg and the ball goes wide.
    • 51' Komano barges into the back of Kahlenberg but Bendtner's free-kick is straight into the wall.
    • 50' Almost an incredible blunder from Sorensen who lets a seemingly harmless Endo free-kick slip through his hands and he is lucky to see the ball bounce back off the post.
    • 49' Christian Poulsen booked for an arm in the face of Honda.
    • 48' Denmark win their fourth corner but a comfortable clearing header from Honda.
    • 47' Matsui feeds Honda down the left but the Grenoble striker is just unable to reach the return ball in the penalty area.
    • 46' We are back underway with no further changes. Demark were sent out a full five minutes before Japan.
    • 45+2' HALF-TIME! Japan have been vibrant, Denmark have been predictable and ponderous. 2-0 at the interval.
    • 45+1' Komano is adjudged offside.
    • 45' Two minutes to be added on.
    • 44' Komano with a rifled diagonal drive from an acute angle and Sorensen is forced to tip over.
    • 43' Poulsen's long-range free-kick is safely patted down by Eiji Kawashima.
    • 42' Okubo goes for the acrobatic bicycle kick which he fails to execute but he almost shins it into the path of Matsui.
    • 41' Honda has a free-kick in an almost identical position from which he scored but this time his effort is headed clear by Kahlenberg.
    • 40' Simon Poulsen gets past his man but his cross from the right is hopelessly wild.
    • 39' Japan currently on course for a date with Paraguay on Tuesday afternoon in Pretoria.
    • 38' Match Image The opening goal
    • 37' Denmark have failed to score in three of their last four international matches which does not bode well.
    • 36' Bentdner's pass is too strong for Rommedahl.
    • 35' Jakob Poulsen replaces Jorgensen, purely a tactical change.
    • 34' Jorgensen's shot hits Tulio.
    • 33' Matsui's shot is charged down by Kroldrup.
    • 32' Japan really have their tail up now and Denmark need three goals to stay in the competition.
    • 31' Endo dives full length to reach a cross from the right but Christian Poulsen has tracked back.
    • 30' GOAL JAPAN!! This time it's Endo who curls a free-kick into the back of the net. A wonderful 20-yarder over the wall and Sorensen, diving full length to his left, has no chance with that.
    • 29' Per Kroldrup booked for hauling down Okubo on the edge of the penalty area.
    • 28' Jacobsen's deep free-kick clears everyone in the penalty box and runs out of play.
    • 27' Jorgensen makes an important block to prevent Okubo's chip exposing a square Danish backline.
    • 26' Jorgensen tries to find Dennis Rommedahl but not even the speedy winger can reach that.
    • 25' Another yellow card for time wasting, this time Yuto Nagatomo.
    • 24' Tomasson is on level terms with Preben Elkjær as Denmark’s all-time World Cup top scorers (4 goals). Tomasson needs one goal to become Denmark’s all-time World Cup top scorer.
    • 23' Tomasson has not scored in his last 15 matches for Denmark. The last goal was against Slovenia in February 2008 in a friendly vs Slovenia. This is by far, his longest scoreless streak.
    • 22' Another decent dink into the penalty area from Christian Poulsen and Tomasson fails to make contact again with his attempted volley, when in space eight yards from goal.
    • 21' Denmark win a second corner but it is nodded away by a blue shirt.
    • 20' Yuichi Komano now clears out of his own penalty area.
    • 19' A long cross from the left is headed away by Tulio.
    • 18' Honda has scored both of Japan’s goals at the 2010 World Cup.
    • 17' GOAL!! Keisuke Honda with a fabulous free-kick from all of 35 yards. A great shot swings into the far corner past Soresen whose initial move was to his left and the ball flew to his right.
    • 16' Foul by Christian Poulsen on Matsui.
    • 15' Tomasson in space down the left channel and he curls his effort through the legs of Nakazawa but perilously inches past the far post.
    • 14' Makoto Hasebe is put clear on the right-hand side of the penalty area but his effort is fired over the angle of post and crossbar.
    • 13' Fantastic delivery from Yoshito Okubo is met by Daisuke Matsui and Thomas Sorensen is lucky that the goalbound flick from seven yards hits his legs.
    • 12' Endo is booked for delaying the taking of a free-kick.
    • 11' Tomasson's driven cross from the left is repelled by Yuji Nakazawa.
    • 10' Simon Poulsen goes down on the edge of the area but no free-kick. Yuki Abe looks to have clipped his opposing right-back.
    • 9' Tulio heads a cross clear inside his own penalty area.
    • 8' Bright start from Denmark who have survived the group phase in all three of their previous three World Cup participations.
    • 7' Kahlenberg's deep corner is volleyed wide by Per Kroldrup.
    • 6' Simon Poulsen gets forward again and his deflected cross is not too far away from being met by Jon Dahl Tomasson in the penalty area - the veteran just couldn't improvise a finish.
    • 5' Christian Poulsen looks for Nicklas Bendtner over the top but too much pace on the pass.
    • 4' Lars Jacobsen's cross is just too deep for Thomas Kahlenberg.
    • 3' Nice combination from Jon Dahl Tomasson and Simon Poulsen but the full-back blazes over the top.
    • 2' An early chance for Japan to put the ball in the penalty area but Yasuhito Endo's free-kick from the right is headed clear by Daniel Agger.
    • 1' We are underway in Rustenburg.
    • 19:25 Today's referee is Jerome Damon from South Africa who leads the teams out.
    • 19:20 Denmark have twice played championship matches on June 24 – losing on penalties to Spain in the Euro 1984 semi final after a 1-1 draw and losing 2-1 to France in the group stages of the 1998 World Cup.
    • 19:15 Olsen won his seveth cap for the Danes in that match.
    • 19:10 Denmark and Japan have met once before in international football – Denmark winning 3-2 in a friendly in Copenhagen in July 1971.
    • 19:05 Japan will not settle for a draw according to captain Makoto Hasebe. "This match is truly a very important one for all of us and I feel we have staked our whole lives on this. We are not aiming for a draw, but for a victory."
    • 19:00 Olsen believes that the experience in his team can make the difference. "We have enough quality but also so much experience in our squad that I really believe that the experience can make the difference," he told reporters. "I have so many players who are playing in big leagues and also played many international matches with Denmark and in European Cup matches."
    • 18:55 Eurosport pundit Arsene Wenger believes that Denmark just have the edge over Japan. Wenger blog
    • 18:50 The situation is quite simple. This winner of this match will qualify while a draw will see Japan progress to the last 16. The Netherlands have already qualified and Cameroon are already eliminated.
    • 18:45 Japan coach Takeshi Okada keeps faith with the same team that started their previous two matches.
    • 18:40 Denmark coach Morten Olsen makes two changes. Defender Per Kroldrup replaces Simon Kjaer who is suspended for this match following yellow cards against Netherlands and Cameroon. On the left wing Thomas Kahlenberg returns to the side in place of Jesper Gronkjaer. Kahlenberg started in the opening match but was dropped for the match against Cameroon.
    • 18:35 Teams - 1-Thomas Sorensen; 15-Simon Poulsen, 4-Daniel Agger, 13-Per Kroldrup, 6-Lars Jacobsen, 19-Dennis Rommedahl, 2-Christian Poulsen, 10-Martin Jorgensen, 12-Thomas Kahlenberg, 9-Jon Dahl Tomasson, 11-Nicklas Bendtner. /// Japan: 21-Eiji Kawashima; 2-Yuki Abe, 22-Yuji Nakazawa, 4-Tulio, 3-Yuichi Komano, 5-Yuto Nagatomo, 16-Yoshito Okubo, 7-Yasuhito Endo, 17-Makoto Hasebe, 8-Daisuke Matsui, 18-Keisuke Honda.
    • 18:30 Denmark take on Japan at the Royal Bafokeng stadium with a spot in the World Cup second round at stake.

  • Summary

    • 87' GOAL!! That makes it safe as Okazaki taps into an empty net but the third goal was all about Honda who beat Rommedahl with a sublime drag back before squaring to the sub.
    • 81' GOAL! Tomasson's penalty is saved by Kawashima's diving to his right but the veteran tucks away the rebound just! The ball squirting off the outside of his boot into the corner.
    • 80' PENALTY! Agger is pushed over by Hasebe and referee Jerome Damon has no hesitation in pointing to the penalty spot.
    • 79' That sums up Denmark's night as Larsen's shot on the turn strikes the crossbar.
    • 70' Rommedahl gets into the area and pulls back to Tomasson who fails to make any contact from 12 yards. That is five chances he has spurned tonight.
    • 53' Better from Denmark but Tomasson's first touch is heavy and that allows Kawashima to come out bravely and save at his feet.
    • 52' Rommedahl's cross brushes the head of Tomasson and does just enough to put off Kahlenberg who is in space at the back post. He can only poke out a leg and the ball goes wide.
    • 50' Almost an incredible blunder from Sorensen who lets a seemingly harmless Endo free-kick slip through his hands and he is lucky to see the ball bounce back off the post.
    • 44' Komano with a rifled diagonal drive from an acute angle and Sorensen is forced to tip over.
    • 43' Poulsen's long-range free-kick is safely patted down by Eiji Kawashima.
    • 30' GOAL JAPAN!! This time it's Endo who curls a free-kick into the back of the net. A wonderful 20-yarder over the wall and Sorensen, diving full length to his left, has no chance with that.
    • 22' Another decent dink into the penalty area from Christian Poulsen and Tomasson fails to make contact again with his attempted volley, when in space eight yards from goal.
    • 17' GOAL!! Keisuke Honda with a fabulous free-kick from all of 35 yards. A great shot swings into the far corner past Soresen whose initial move was to his left and the ball flew to his right.
    • 15' Tomasson in space down the left channel and he curls his effort through the legs of Nakazawa but perilously inches past the far post.
    • 14' Makoto Hasebe is put clear on the right-hand side of the penalty area but his effort is fired over the angle of post and crossbar.
    • 13' Fantastic delivery from Yoshito Okubo is met by Daisuke Matsui and Thomas Sorensen is lucky that the goalbound flick from seven yards hits his legs.
    • 7' Kahlenberg's deep corner is volleyed wide by Per Kroldrup.
    • 6' Simon Poulsen gets forward again and his deflected cross is not too far away from being met by Jon Dahl Tomasson in the penalty area - the veteran just couldn't improvise a finish.
    • 3' Nice combination from Jon Dahl Tomasson and Simon Poulsen but the full-back blazes over the top.
    • 18:35 Teams - 1-Thomas Sorensen; 15-Simon Poulsen, 4-Daniel Agger, 13-Per Kroldrup, 6-Lars Jacobsen, 19-Dennis Rommedahl, 2-Christian Poulsen, 10-Martin Jorgensen, 12-Thomas Kahlenberg, 9-Jon Dahl Tomasson, 11-Nicklas Bendtner. /// Japan: 21-Eiji Kawashima; 2-Yuki Abe, 22-Yuji Nakazawa, 4-Tulio, 3-Yuichi Komano, 5-Yuto Nagatomo, 16-Yoshito Okubo, 7-Yasuhito Endo, 17-Makoto Hasebe, 8-Daisuke Matsui, 18-Keisuke Honda.

Team Line-up & Ratings

  • Line-up

    Live Team Line-Up

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    • Player Y! Users Expert My Rating
      Goalkeeper
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      Defenders
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      Yellow Card Substitution Out56′ - -
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      Midfielders
      Yellow Card - -
      Substitution Out34′ - -
      Substitution Out63′ - -
      Strikers
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      Goal - -
      Yellow Card - -
      Subs
      Substitution In34′ - -
      Substitution In56′ - -
      Substitution In63′ - -
    • Player Y! Users Expert My Rating
      Goalkeeper
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      Defenders
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      - -
      - -
      Yellow Card - -
      Midfielders
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      Goal Yellow Card Substitution Out90′ - -
      Strikers
      Substitution Out74′ - -
      Substitution Out88′ - -
      Goal - -
      Subs
      Substitution In90′ - -
      Substitution In74′ Goal - -
      Substitution In88′ - -

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