Keisuke Honda's close-range strike in the first half was enough to give Japan a 1-0 win over Cameroon in their Group E opener.

Group E: Japan 1-0 Cameroon


In a game of few clear chances, Cameroon's defence failed to deal with Daisuke Matsui's cross, allowing Honda to control the ball at the back post before clipping the ball past Hamidou Souleymanou.

Stephane Mbia went closest to salvaging a point for Cameroon when his fierce drive cannoned back off the crossbar.

But although the Africans threw everything at Japan in the closing minutes they could not find a way through, sparking huge celebrations from the Japanese squad.