Japan gave notice of its potential Thursday when it beat Denmark 3-1 in the final Group E fixture and clinched a place in the last 16 of the World Cup on foreign soil for the first time. Two well-struck goals from free kicks by Keisuke Honda, after 17 minutes, and Yasuhito Endo, on the half-hour, put it in command before a spirited Denmark revival saw it pull one back through Jon Dahl Tomasson after 81 minutes. Courageous in defense, slick and inventive in attack, Japan then dazzled again and put the contest beyond doubt with a third goal, beautifully-created by Honda for substitute Shinji Okazaki with three minutes remaining. That made sure of second place behind the Netherlands and confirmed its passage to a well-deserved meeting with Paraguay in Pretoria Tuesday. On this form, it could go even further. On a cold night at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium, Japan was in control from the start and stretched the Danish defense with ease. Its intricate, almost meticulous, one-touch play and the speed of its movement created a series of chances before it took the lead after 17 minutes with a superb goal by Honda. Taking a free-kick 30 meters out on the right, the blue-gloved striker with bleached hair struck a left-foot shot that faded to the left and away from the flat-footed Danish keeper Thomas Sorensen, who looked helpless. Denmark tried to exploit its clear height advantage with attempted high crosses, but it was a ploy the Japanese blunted with excellent marking and brave defensive play. Tall striker Nicklas Bendtner, one three Danes to be cautioned, was easily kept quiet. Jon Dahl Tomasson shot narrowly wide and had another effort saved, but the Danes were left reeling when Per Kroldrup tripped Okubo and Endo curled a right-foot free-kick round the ‘wall' and inside Sorensen's left post from 25 meters. Japan almost scored a third early in the second half when Endo floated in another free-kick that the flapping Sorensen could only fumble against a post before the Danes raised their tempo and briefly put the Japanese goal under siege. But they were unable to turn possession into goals until a push on Daniel Agger resulted in a late penalty that was taken by Tomasson. His first shot was blocked, but he managed to bundle in the rebound. If that revived their hopes, it was only for six minutes. Then Honda again showed the dexterity of his left foot by dancing into the penalty area, dummying Dennis Rommedahl and unselfishly passing for Okazaki to score from close range and spark wild celebrations.
