Japan leads Denmark 2-0 at halftime in key World Cup group match, scoring on free kicks

Japan leads Denmark 2-0 at halftime in World Cup

RUSTENBURG, South Africa — Japan went into halftime with a 2-0 lead against Denmark on Thursday, after two swerving free kicks put the team in a comfortable position to qualify for the next round of the World Cup.

Keisuke Honda struck first with a free kick 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.

Denmark’s strategy of using its height advantage over the Japanese players by attempting crosses into the area in search of a headed goal hasn’t been working.

Japan needs only a draw to get through to the next round, while Denmark needs to win.