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First Daisuke Matsui's clever flick struck the legs of Denmark goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen, and moments later Makoto Hasebe raced into the box but fired narrowly wide.
BBC: Denmark 1-3 Japan
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When they did break up the Netherlands' passing, Grenoble midfielder Daisuke Matsui looked bright for Japan - instigating an incisive move that eventually resulted in Yuto Nagatomo hitting a stinging shot just wide.
BBC: Netherlands 1-0 Japan
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As with their opponents, Japan were bidding to reach the quarter-finals for the first time and came closest to scoring during a game of few chances when Daisuke Matsui smashed a long-range strike against the crossbar in the first half.
BBC: Paraguay 0-0 Japan (5-3 pens)