Day Four
These two neighbors, Netherlands-Denmark, so familiar with one another yet they had never met in a World Cup match before today. Netherlands (my pick to win it if Brazil does not) have been great in internationals of late yet have not won the glory. Their history is almost, but no cigar. In qualifying they were the very best in the run up to Euro 2008 with a 100% record and conceding the fewest goals. They did it again in the EUFA zone qualifying for this World Cup with another 100% record, scoring 17 goals while conceding only 2 putting them firmly among the favorites yet again.
The Danes however are a resilient bunch. The first goal would come in unlikely fashion, the result of a strong rush by Robin Van Persie whose centering ball ended up in the net (47) for an OG (Agger). Paulsson's headed attempt to clear deflected off the back of Agger and past his keeper (Sorenson). World Cup 2010's first OG. Another case, like Dempsey's and Koren's in earlier games, that proves the adage that putting the ball into the danger area often results in crazy things happening. Frequently that isn't quite what was intended or expected but on the scoreboard a goal is a goal. Just ahead of full time Dirk Kuyt made it 2-0 following up a shot that came off the post for him to tap in to seal the Dutch victory.
In the second match of the day Japan, who sputtered through four consecutive defeats in the run up to South Africa, faced one of that continents best in Cameroon. Could Japan deal effectively with Eto'o and friends and produce a quality effort of their own?
The answer is yes, they could and did winning their first ever WC game outside of Asia 1-0. The match produced the highest number of fouls (49) in WC 2010 so far and Japan became only the 6th team since 1966 to win a WC match without earning a single corner kick. Honda's 39th minute strike was all they needed as their defense kept the potent Cameroon offense in check.
In the evening match holders Italy opened their campaign against Paraguay in steady rain in Capetown. The match was truly a ragged one with few chances for either side. On one of Paraguay's rare advances into the final 3rd a free kick turned the match around when new Wigan signing Alcaraz headed it home (39). Italy didn't find a response until the 63rd when another keeper error gifted them the goal via De Rossi at the back post. Villar, Paraguay's keeper, came for the corner but totally misjudged the flight of the ball, tried to punch it getting nothing on it at all and there was the sliding De Rossi behind him to poke it into the open net. Italy, some would say fortunate again, found a way to escape. In the end, the point each was all either side was really worth on the day.
Day 5
New Zealand produced the stunner of the tournament so far with their goal in the 3rd minute of added time off the head of Winston Reid for the 1-1 draw with Slovakia. It was a cagey sort of match with neither side really able to establish firm control which was in itself a bit of a surprise. Slovakia had gone ahead with a terrific glancing header from an early ball in the 49th from Vittek only to see their win slip away in injury time.
Ivory Coast played Portugal to a standstill without Drogba on the pitch until the 65th minute when he came on with a plastic cast protecting his recently broken arm. The man of the match was their young star Gervinho not Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo who was up to his old tricks trying to buy a foul by flopping to the ground like a fish out of water. Gervinho on the other hand was actually trying to earn the advantage and win the match with speed and skill, not deception, and his efforts nearly did just that. Nothing would make a difference on this night and it ended scoreless in what the pundits have named the group of death because of the presence of Brazil in the group.
Speaking of Brazil they opened their campaign against North Korea in what seemed a training ground exercise especially in the first half. Near total domination of the ball, free running and firing away from 30 yards if they felt like it gave the match an unrealistic feel. It would end differently with a late goal from the Koreans (89) to make the final 2-1 Brazil on the strength of goals from Maicon (55) and Man City reject Elano (72) who also set up the Maicon goal with a telling ball. You have to get the feel this wasn't the 'real' Brazil and we may not see that team until the field is down to the last four. Brazil finished the match with a total of 73% possession and fired 26 shots (10 on goal) markers that should be considered as a warning for any future opponent in this tournament. Oh yes, these guys are nearly certain to be among the final four, at the very least.
Day 6
Honduras opens their campaign against surprising Chile, who finished second in South American qualifying to Brazil with a 1-0 loss. The win, Chile's first WC victory since 1962, could have been, and perhaps should have been heavier as Chile failed to convert a handful of chances that has their manager worried. He's worried about those missed chances because the first tie breaker is goal difference. The man is on the ball and thinking ahead.
Favored by many to win it Spain faced a difficult side in Switzerland. Difficult to score on that is and they proved it again by defeating the reigning European champions 1-0. Some may not recall this but Switzerland were eliminated from WC 2006 after not having conceded a single goal: they were ousted on penalties by the Ukraine after a 0-0 result.
The final match of the opening round becomes the most significant as the team many expected to challenge Brazil for the title falls to defeat in its first group stage match. The Swiss goal came from the most direct attack you'll ever see. A keeper clearance, a flick-on header falls between two Spanish defenders. Iker Casillas, Spain's keeper comes out hard and takes down one Swiss forward (a clear penalty by the way) and the ball falls to Fernandes who pokes it past Pique's body as he's lying on the ground inside the six yard box with the ball at his side. Yes, well, I know it sounds like a bit of a Keystone Cops routine and I suppose you could say that would be an appropriate description. A note for Spain fans: no team has ever gone on to win the title after losing the first match in the group stage.
South Africa played the second match of the group stage against two-time World Cup winners Uruguay and their talisman, Diego Forlan. The hosts found out why Forlan is remembered for his heroics for both club and country and not the time he spent in SAF''s dog house at Manchester United. On second thought, some pretty highly regarded players have been there too, so maybe that status is a resume booster after all.
At any rate Forlan did it again with a brace; the first in the 24th minute took a deflection before dipping just under the bar. With the lead tenuous at best the 76th minute will be long remembered by the host side and their fans when their keeper (Khune) saw red for his challenge on Suarez. Forlan converted the penalty (80) and Pereira added another in stoppage time for the 3-0 win. The outcome was surely up for grabs with less than 15 minutes to go but the red card to the keeper settled the issue (only the second time in WC history that a keeper has seen a red card).
To this point in the tournament there have been several results that will be significant in the days ahead and perhaps the biggest of them was Spain's defeat in its opening group stage match. No team has gone on to win the tournament after opening with a loss in the group stage. Argentina did advance to the final in 1990 but lost to W. Germany 1-0.
Holders Italy did not show well but found a way to get a draw and heavily favored England had a poor game against the USA despite the fast start and early goal. Tim Howard's big game saving stops put his performance head and shoulders above the boatload of keeper errors from his protege's.
Germany's stellar performance being the highlight for those focused on excellence and precise execution as they laid down a big warning to the rest of the competition. The fact that they did that despite the loss of their captain Michael Ballack is worthy of note.
And it must be said the host nation's loss to Uruguay now has them on the precipice: South Africa could become the first host nation to not advance from the group stage of the tournament.
