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2010 World Cup: Japan 1-0 Cameroon – Report

Angela Asante, June 14 2010,
In a controversial match at the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein, Japan triumphed 1-0 against the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon. The Samurai Blue now joins the Netherlands at the top of Group E.

Japanese players celebrate after accomplishing their mission of defeating African Big Guns Cameroon.
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Japan vs Cameroon, First Half: Japan Edge A Little

After making a number of long balls, Cameroon finally settled from the 8th minute with Webo sprinting forward before squaring a dangerous ball into the penalty area. Samuel Eto’o was there but not quite ready to knock it in, and his intelligent flick just wasn’t perfect enough to trouble Japan’s defense.

The Asians also responded with an attack on their own. Matsui’s throw ball found Honda near the end line. The latter almost caught Cameroon’s keeper after skipping the challenge made by two defenders. The Indomitable were under no rest from there as Matsui threatened with explosive runs down the right hand side of the pitch.

 

A trademark free-kick from Tottenham’s Assou-Ekotto at the 29th minute teased Japan’s keeper Kawashima who injured himself in the process of catching the ball. In fact, Assou-Ekotto stood out as arguably the best player on the field, using his full pace to wow the crowd and create chances for the Cameroonians. But Samuel Eto’o was nowhere to be found upfront and being tightly marked, the Inter Milan striker seemed to be absent during most of the first period of the match. 

Astonishingly though, it was Japan who found the breakthrough with Honda beautifully finishing an excellent cross from the right. With 39 minutes gone down the clock, it was 1-0 to Japan. Eto’o moved to the right wing as Cameroon’s formation changed in attempt to be more clinical in the final one third of the field. No impact was created though and at half time, the Indomitable Lions were down by Honda’s single goal for Japan to nil.

Cameroon's Emana vying against a Japanese player.

Japan vs Cameroon, Second Half: No Miracle For The Indomitable Lions

In the initial stages of the second period, Samuel Eto’o was on the verge of making an assist in a spectacular manner. The former African footballer of the year raced down the end line before passing the ball to Choupo-Moting who disappointingly sent the ball wide from 8 yards out.

Ten minutes later, Choupo-Moting tried his luck with a firing shot from outside the penalty box. However, it couldn’t trouble Japan’s goalkeeper as the ball rolled away for a goal kick. Free-kick taker Assou-Ekotto had a go on the hour mark; his long range free-kick got headed away for a corner. In the resulting set-piece, Japan’s Tanaka sustained an injury as one of his team mates crashed with him accidentally.

Nicolas Nkoulou was flashed a yellow card 20 minutes from time for pushing down Japan’s Okazaki as he was counter attacking on the left side. But the Samurai Blue didn’t make anything from their free-kick as Endo awfully fired the ball off target.

Japanese players were constantly author of malicious tackles on the Cameroonians but they managed to escape without bookings in the second half. Goal scorer Honda was aiming to break free on 80 minutes when he went to the ground. The referee decided to give away a free-kick to the Japanese although replays clearly showed that the decision should have gone the other way. Captain Hasebe produced a powerful strike that Souleymanou Hamidou punched away.

The Indomitable Lions knew that time was running out for a miracle to happen. Stephen M’Bia was inches away from finding the net with a 40 yard cracking shot that smashed against the corner of the post. Honda also proved his worth at the other end with a low strike that almost deceived Cameroon’s shot stopper.

The final four minutes of the match were dramatic. Webo made a great flick in search of Cameroon’s equalizer but Japan’s goalkeeper Kawashima made an equally great catch to maintain his side’s 1-0 lead. Assou-Ekotto, who was energetic and extremely awesome throughout the match, tried his possible best to stretch the Japanese until the final second of the game. But it was too little, too late.

Following numerous controversial decisions going against them, the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon lost 1-0 in the end.  For Japan, this victory meant so much that their players lined up hand in hand on the pitch at the delight of their fans in the stands.
 

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