RUSTENBERG, South Africa — Take a bow, Japan. Better yet, take two. You've advanced at the World Cup.
Spectacular first-half goals by Keisuke Honda and Yusuhito Endo helped lift the Japanese to a 3-1 win over Denmark on Thursday, sending Japan into the round of 16.
It was an energentic performance by the Japanese, who collected just their second tournament victory on foreign soil.
When the game was over, the happy team bowed like a chorus line before its joyous fans on each side of the field.
"For Japan it's a big win," Honda said. "I'm glad we won but I am not satisfied. The next game is more important. I want to show the Japanese that nothing is impossible."
The Danes, who replied in the 81st minute when Jon Dahl Tomasson tapped in the rebound from his own penalty kick, failed to advance from the group stage for the first time in four World Cup appearances.
Netherlands 2, Cameroon 1
CAPE TOWN, South Africa (AP) — The Netherlands produced its first flair and finesse of the World Cup on Thursday, beating already-eliminated Cameroon 2-1 in Group E.
Robin Van Persie finished off an end-to-end move in the 36th minute and substitute Arjen Robben rifled a shot off the post in the 83rd minute that Klaas Jan Huntelaar tapped in.
In between, Samuel Eto'o scored from the penalty spot for Cameroon in the 65th.
"Our play was good," Van Persie said. "We can be really pleased with this."
After the match, Cameroon coach Paul Le Guen said he was quitting.
"I ended my mission," the Frenchman said. "Now I will reflect carefully."
Slovakia 3, Italy 1
JOHANNESBURG — The stunned looks and the tears told the story — for both teams.
For defending champion Italy, the ignominy of being sent out of the World Cup in the first round sank in immediately.
"Tonight," midfielder Gennaro Gattuso said, "we touched rock bottom."
For Slovakia, which beat the Azzurri 3-2 Thursday to advance, well, the celebrating might not stop before Monday's second-round game.
"We've shown shown that we're not here for a holiday," said Slovakia forward Erik Jendrisek.
The party ended in stunning fashion for four-time champion Italy, which finished last in an opening-round group for the first time.
