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."
