Japan hangs on to 1-0 lead over Cameroon after 75 minutes in Group E

Japan leads Cameroon 1-0 after 75 minutes

BLOEMFONTEIN, South Africa — Japan is hanging on to a 1-0 lead over Cameroon with 75 minutes gone in their Group E World Cup match at Free State Stadium.

Japan broke the tie in the 39th minute Monday when Daisuke Matsui’s cross from the right wing eluded the Cameroon defense and found Keisuke Honda at the far post. He controlled and put the ball past goalkeeper Hamidou Souleymanou.

Cameroon pressed forward in search of an equalizer in the second half. Star forward Samuel Eto’o opened up Japan’s defense in the 49th to set up Eric Choupo Moting, but he sent his curling right-footed shot past the far post.

The African team had seven shots on goal compared to Japan’s two, but still couldn’t find a way through Japan’s well-organized defense.