Rustenburg (South Africa), June 25 (DPA) Keisuke Honda’s goal in the first half guided the way for Japan to beat Denmark 3-1 in Group E Thursday and earn the CSKA Moscow midfielder Man of the Match honours.
Honda scored a free kick in the 17th minute and set up the third goal in the 87th in helping Japan reach the knockout stage of a World Cup for the first time on foreign soil following their Round of 16 showing as co-hosts in 2002.
Japan, who finished second in Group E with six points will face Group F winners Paraguay in the Round of 16 Tuesday.
