Japan, Netherlands move on at World Cup out of Group E

Take a bow, Japan. Better yet, take two. You've advanced at the World Cup.

Spectacular first-half goals by Keisuke Honda and Yusuhito Endo helped lift the Japanese to a 3-1 win over Denmark Thursday in Rustenburg, South Africa, sending Japan into the round of 16 as the Group E runner-up.

It was an energetic performance by the Japanese, who collected only 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."

The Danes, who replied in the 81st minute when Jon Dahl Tomasson tapped in the rebound from his own penalty kick, failed to advance from the group stage for the first time in four World Cup appearances.

Japan will face Paraguay in Pretoria on Tuesday in the second round.

Netherlands 2, Cameroon 1

In Cape Town, the Netherlands produced its first goals of flair and finesse to beat Cameroon and set up a second-round match with Slovakia.

Robin Van Persie finished off an end-to-end move in the 36th minute, and substitute Arjen Robben sent a shot against the post in the 83rd that Klaas Jan Huntelaar only had to slide in for the winner.

In between, Samuel Eto'o scored on a penalty kick for Cameroon.

The Dutch won Group E with three victories. They play Slovakia Monday in Durban.

"Our play was good," Van Persie said. "We can be really pleased with this."

Cameroon lost all three of its matches.

Playing with poise and confidence, the Dutch often thrilled the crowd of 63,093 with their creative moves. Yet Eto'o and Cameroon often were able to pierce the defense and threaten goalie Maarten Stekelenburg.

"It is good to be back," Robben said. "I had to get back in the groove and it worked." Robben said.

- AP