Japan v Cameroon half time report
Japan 1 Cameroon 0
The second Group E match of the afternoon between Japan and Cameroon threatened to live up to its billing as potential damp squib. But almost 40 minutes after the first whistle, the game was finally sparked into life as Keisuke Honda handed Japan a precious lead.
The talented playmaker found himself unmarked at the backpost and tucked his chance – Japan’s only shot on target in the first half – comfortably past Hamidou Souleymanou in the Cameroon goal in the 38th minute. Daisuke Matsui’s inswinging cross from the right made the goal, but some shoddy defending from the Indomitable Lions hardly helped their cause.
Both teams failed to retain possession in the opening stages of the match, with Japan in particular giving the ball away at nearly every opportunity.
A host of offsides had made it a stop-start game up until the goal, and chances have been few and far between.
Even the hoard of vuvuzelas sounded notably quieter than usual around the Free State Stadium; while the Mexican waves began in earnest as early as the 20th minute.
Fortunately, the game did liven up in the closing stages of the first 45 minutes, and the unfancied Japanese may now be on course for a surprise victory.
If Cameroon harbour any aspirations of making the last 16, a second half turnaround could well be imperative.
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