Japan’s Strong Defense Beats Cameroon 1-0

Japan earned its first World Cup opening-match victory on Monday, beating a sloppy Cameroon, 1-0.

Keisuke Honda led the Japanese offense, scoring the only goal of the game in the first half.

Cameroon struggled for control of the ball and didn’t do much to challenge Japan keeper Eiji Kawashima. But the Cameroonians nearly tied the game in the 87th minute when defender Steven Mbia took a long shot that hit the left post.

Player of the Game
Keisuke Honda, Japan

Honda led the Japanese to victory with a poised shot from the back post for the team’s only goal.

Scoring Breakdown
Honda’s goal, in the 39th minute, was the only score of the game. Cameroon took more shots (9) than Japan (3), but was unable to find the back of the net in a game that featured 49 fouls — 20 for Japan and 29 for Cameroon.

Notes
Japan won its first World Cup match on foreign soil. Its only previous victories came against Russia and Tunisia in 2002 when the Japanese co-hosted the tournament.

Next
Japan takes on the Netherlands on Saturday, June 19, at 7:30 a.m. ET. Cameroon faces Denmark on Saturday, June 19, at 2:30 p.m.