Japan leads Denmark 2-0 after 60 minutes in critical World Cup match, scoring from free kicks

Japan leads Denmark 2-0 after 60 minutes at WCup

RUSTENBURG, South Africa — Japan was heading toward qualification for the next round of the World Cup with a 2-0 lead over Denmark after 60 minutes Thursday, following two goals from free kicks in the first half.

Keisuke Honda struck first with a shot that went over the wall and dipped left past Denmark goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen in the 17th minute. Yasuhito Endo then curled a free kick around the wall and inside the right post in the 30th.

Endo nearly made it 3-0 from a floating free kick in the 48th that sailed over Sorensen’s head, but the goalkeeper tipped the ball onto the post.

Denmark is in desperate need of goals, because it must win in order to advance from Group E. Japan only needs a draw.