Referee: Jerome Damon (South Africa)
LINEUPS:
Denmark (451): Sorensen, Jacobsen, Poulsen, Agger, Kjaer, Gronkjaer (Beckmann 81'), Joregensen (Kvist 62'), Tomasson, Bendtner (Enevoldsen 53'), Kahlenberg, Rommendahl
Japan (433): Kawashima, Komano, Nagatomo, Nakazawa, Tanaka, Abe, Endo (Nakamura 62'), Hasebe, Honda, Okubo, Matsui (Okazaki 79')
A dismal first half thankfully had an end to it with both sides scoreless as neither team could manufacture a quality cross with very limited opportunities to put a ball into the box. Denmark made a change before the match, Pouslen's suspension allowed Gronkjaer to take his place in midfield but it was the Japanese midfielders that controlled much of the game.
The second half was much more enjoyable to watch and the first goal was not long in coming. Just seven minutes after the restart Honda's cross found Okubo who headed the ball into the corner. Shortly after they feel behind Denmark then threatened the goal with Enevoldsen, just on from the bench, shooting too close to the keeper after Kjaer's run and defense-splitting pass gave him a great look at goal.
The next goal then cemented Japan's place into the second round and sunk Denmark's chances of progressing further. Keisuke Honda did all the work himself by intercepting the ball, running past defenders and thundering his shot past a helpless Sorensen.
Denmark 0 - 2 Japan
Goalscorers:
JPN Okubo 52'
JPN Honda 68'
Discipline:
JPN Okubo 47'
Man of the Match:
Yoshito Okubo
| GROUP E | ||||||||
| Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
| Japan | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 1 | +2 | 5 |
| Netherlands | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 0 | +4 | 4 |
| Denmark | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 7 | -5 | 3 |
| Cameroon | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | -1 | 1 |
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