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The 2nd match of Group E featured The Samurai Blue of Japan and The Indomitable Lions of Cameroon with both sides needing a win. It was the opening match for host city Mangaung/Bloemfontein at Free State Stadium.

The first half of the match was evenly played with neither side generating any dangerous goal scoring opportunities until the 38th minute. Cameroon's Eric Choupo Moting controlled a throw-in to the box and laid off a pass for fellow midfielder Eyong Enoh who blasted a low, grass-cutting shot that was covered by Japan keeper Eiji Kawashima.

One minute later, Japan replied when midfielder Daisuke Matsui created space on the right side and centered a pass that found teammate Keisuke Honda alone on the back post. Honda controlled and blasted the ball past Cameroon keeper Hamidou Souleymanou for the 1-0 half-time lead.
(REUTERS/Adnan Abidi)

The second half started off strong for Cameroon with the best chance coming in the 49th minute when superstar striker Samuel Eto'o broke free from 3 Japanese defenders, made his way into the box and passed to open teammate Choupo Moting, whose one-time shot aimed for the upper left corner just missed.

Cameroon continued to apply pressure to the Japanese defense late in the match. In the 85th minute, midfielder Stephane Mbia blasted a long distance shot that hit the crossbar. In injury time, 2nd half substitute midfielder Geremi sent a cross into the box that found forward Pierre Webo in the 6-yard box. Webo's shot was spectacularly saved by Kawashima to preserve the 1-0 victory for Japan.
(AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)

The result is the 1st World Cup victory for Japan outside of their home nation. Japan's next match is on Saturday, the 19th when they take on The Netherlands in a battle of 1st place teams in Durban at Moses Mabhida Stadium. Cameroon faces Denmark on Saturday, the 19th in Tshwane/Pretoria at Loftus Versfeld Stadium.

Click here to view FIFA's official match report.