OITA, Japan, 23 August 2007 — Marcus Tulio Tanaka and Koji Yamase scored as Japan beat Cameroon 2-0 in a friendly match yesterday.
Yasuhito Endo whipped in an in-swinging free kick from the left on 25 minutes and Urawa Reds’ Brazil-born defender Tulio arched an excellent header over keeper Souleymanou Hamidou for the opener in a first half Japan dominated.
Cameroon pushed for an equalizer in the second half but substitute Yamase of Yokohama F. Marinos made sure of the victory on 89 minutes when he crashed in a right-foot drive from the edge of the area.
Samuel Eto’o nearly pulled a goal back in injury time with a curling free kick but Yoshikatsu Kawaguchi tipped the ball over the bar. “The match was a good experience for the players,” Japan coach Ivica Osim told reporters.
A tired-looking Eto’o, who played for Barcelona in a friendly against Yokohama F. Marinos in Japan earlier in August, had little joy against a well-organized Japanese defense.
In Doha, Qatar beat Saudi Arabia 1-0 in the Olympic Games Asian qualifying soccer match.
Argentina Rally to Beat Honduras
at U-17 World Cup
In Ulsan, South Korea, Argentina conceded an early deficit but rallied impressively to beat Honduras 4-1 in Group C yesterday to get back on track for the knockout stages of the under-17 World Cup. Johnny Leveron put Honduras in front from the penalty spot in the 35th minute, and Argentina looked in danger of an embarrassing early exit from the competition, having only drawn with Syria in its opening match.
But Fernando Meza scored from a corner just before halftime to raise Argentine spirits and the team dominated the second half.
Nicolas Mazzola scored with a direct freekick in the 64th minute. Alexis Machuca made it 3-1 just seven minutes later, and Mazzola rounded off the scoring in the 87th minute. With four of the six third-placed teams to go through to the second round, Argentina is now almost certain to progress, while Honduras must now beat Syria in its final game and hope three points is enough to qualify.
In Group D, underdog Haiti capitalized on a missed penalty and a red card for France to hold the Europeans to a 1-1 draw. France, seeking to rebound from its opening loss to Nigeria, took the lead in the 13th minute through Damien Le Tallec, whose tame shot was allowed to roll past Haitian goalkeeper Dorleans Shelson.
But Haiti was level just eight minutes later. Valdo Normil was brought down in the penalty area by French goalkeeper Joris Delle and Peterson Desrivieres converted from the spot, at the second attempt. French defender Badis Lebbihi was sent off in the 57th minute after receiving two yellow cards in the space of three minutes. Despite its numerical disadvantage, France continued to press forward and hit the post and the bar with shots. The French seemed likely to be rewarded for their aggression when they received a last-minute penalty, but Said Mehamha could not convert.
Two-time champion Nigeria booked its place in the last 16 with a 3-0 over Japan in the other Group D match.
The result was due reward for the Africans, who dominated the contest, and the result left Japan having to get a point from its last game against France to be confident of progressing.
Ganiyu Oseni put Nigeria in front on 21 minutes, and Macauley Christanus made it 2-0 on 31. Christanus scored his second, and his third of the tournament to seal the result in the 82nd minute.
In the final Group D games on Friday, Nigeria will face Haiti and France plays Japan.
In Group C, Daniel Aquino’s injury-time goal gave Spain a 2-1 win over Syria that booked the Europeans a berth in the knockout stages.
Spain was the aggressor for much of the match, played in wet conditions in Ulsan, but had to wait until the 56th for Fran Merida to put the side ahead.
Syria, which pulled off a shock result in its opening fixture by holding Argentina to a draw, equalized from the penalty spot when Alex was penalized for handball and Solaiman Solaiman converted.
The Asian confederation side looked to have done enough for another surprise draw before some enterprising approach play by budding star Bojan Krkic led to Aquino knocking home the winner from close range.
In the final Group C games on Saturday, Spain will play Argentina and Syria will take on Honduras.
