Honda Helps Japan Motor crush Jordan: into quarter-finals

Japan coach Javier Aguirre was true to his word and played his stars in their final Group D game against Jordan, determined to maintain his team's 100 per cent Asian Cup record.
They did, seeing off the challenge of the plucky Jordanians 2-0 through a first-half goal from AC Milan's Keisuke Honda and a second by former Manchester United mifielder Shinji Kagawa at  AAMI Park on Tuesday night.
The result was never in doubt, but after dominating the first half the reigning champions were occasionally given something to think about during the second period by a Jordan side that lifted its work-rate and effort and tried to create something for itself as it battled to defy the odds.
The Blue Samurai easily had the better of the opening exchanges as they cranked up the pressure and the Jordanians sat deep in a bid to frustrate them.