Needing just a draw to progress, two wonderful free-kicks from Keisuke Honda and then Yasuhito Endo in the first-half helped Japan to a 3-1 win over Denmark, knocking the Danes out and setting up a clash with Paraguay in the second round.
Denmark were completely one-dimensional, Morten Olsen's side were woeful in the first-half and though they threw caution to the wind in the second, the Danes were unable to unlock a compact and well-drilled Japanese unit. On this showing, they certainly deserve to be heading out of the tournament with their tails between their legs.
Japan were impressive. Passed crisply, moved intelligently and finished clinically. Looked very comfortable in possession and a warning to their second round opponents Paraguay - underestimate this Japan team at your peril. A completely different side to the one that was in such dreadful form coming into the tournament, Japan are now hitting the high notes at the right time.
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