Japan 1 Cameroon 0 : Match 10 : World Cup 2010FIFA World Cup 2010 match 10 - Group E Japan Kawashima, Nagatomo, Nakazawa, Tanaka, Komano,Matsui (Okazaki 68), Honda, Abe, Hasebe (Inamoto 88), Endo,Okubo (Yano 81) Cameroon Hamidou, M'bia, N'Koulou, Bassong,Assou-Ekotto, Matip (Emana 63), Makoun (Geremi 75), Enoh,Eto'o, Webo, Choupo-Moting (Idrissou 75). On paper, this was always going to be a game that pitted the industry and hard work of Japan against the strength and intermittent skill of Cameroon. In reality it was just that, and the Japanese added a little bit of guile, whilst the Cameroons were just basically intermittent in all departments. A slow start to the game saw Cameroon content to try the direct options more often than not, with their main man Eto'o an absent target, stuck out wide right. Japan coped well with the aerial stuff, with Nakazawa powering headers from his central defence on a regular basis. Japan were much keener to get the ball down and pass, with midfielders Matsui (Right) and Hasebe (Central) combining well to keep the ball and launch swift counters. Honda was attempting to support lone striker Okubo at any opportunity, but there was also a sense of strict discipline to the Japanese order too. The 5 man midfield was stifling any expected creativity from their opponents. A half of little goalmouth action was enlightened by Honda's goal 5 minutes before the whistle. Matsui feinted outside his marker on the right wing, cut back onto his left and swung a deep ball to the back post for Honda to easily control and sidefoot home 5 yards out. Woeful marking by the Africans, as the ball cleared 6 defenders on its 30 yard journey. A deserved lead for the Japanese at Half Time. Half Time: Japan 1 Cameroon 0 You would have expected Cameroon to come out and give it a real go in the second half, but it just didn't quite happen. We should perhaps not undermine what was a superbly disciplined performance by Japan; but the Africans just did not look up for it. Maybe a bit arrogant and disrespectful of Japan's abilities? Cameroon did press on more as the game wore on, with Assou Ekoto making regular forays down the Left, and Choupo-Moting providing incisiveness through the middle, but Kawashima in Japan's goals was hardly troubled, and when he was: He looked very solid indeed. Long balls continued to rain down towards the Japanese lines, and again and again they came back. Nakazawa must have had a headache at the end of 90. There was an odd glimpse of skill from Eto'o as he almost cut back for Makoun to score, and then Cameroon almost got on terms with a strike from Mbia out of the blue that beat Kawashima but rattled the crossbar and deflected out. You could sense Japan's nerves as the minutes ticked away, and they looked a tad naive as their defensive line shuffled further and further back, inviting more pressure. I suppose, as in Japan's case, when you've never won a World Cup game in another country, you can forgive that. A good win for Japan, who will now be looking to take their superb team ethic into an altogether more challenging second group game against Holland. Full Time: Japan 1 Cameroon 0 Japan Kawashima 7, Nagatomo 6, Nakazawa 8, Tanaka 6, Komano 7, Matsui 8 (Okazaki 6), Honda 7, Abe5, Hasebe 7 (Inamoto 5), Endo 6,Okubo 6(Yano 5) Cameroon Hamidou 5, M'bia 6, N'Koulou 4, Bassong 5,Assou-Ekotto 6, Matip 4(Emana 4), Makoun 5(Geremi 4), Enoh 5,Eto'o 5, Webo 4, Choupo-Moting 5 (Idrissou 4). Referee: Olegario Benquerenca (Portugal) 6. Good : Japan's wonderful team effort and stamina. A midfield full of exceptionally good engines. Especially Honda. Bad : Cameroon's attitude. Sort it out boys or your going home pretty damn quick. Ugly : Those ridiculous fancy dress type outfits the Japanese fans were wearing. Did you see them?
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