44' NED De Jong (YC)
45' NED Agger (OG) (1-0)
49' NED Van Persie (YC)
63' DEN Kkaer (YC)
85' NED Kuyt (2-0)
A rather boring game, considering how dynamic the Dutch are. Robben's injury shouldn't have affected them nearly that much. However, they dominated the game and played on cruise control, never really pressing forward or allowing the Danes to get anything going. Kuyt netted a classy late goal in typical Dutch fashion, suggesting we haven't seen their full capacity yet.
NED Verdict: There were a lot of question going in, mostly about the Defense/'Keeper and how the coach was going to manage fitting in the like of VDV, Robben, Sneijder, Huntelaar, Kuyt, Van Persie, Van Bommel, and other talented non-defenders. However, they Dutch clearly dominated the game without their best performer from the past year, Arjen Robben, who should be returning from injury soon. When they play more talented teams after they win the group, we'll see how well their back four have prepared.
DEN Verdict: Not a bad showing, they were just outclassed. Another team that shouldnt make too many waves or turn many heads this tournament, the Danes should be content that they are even here when their best player (Bendtner) can't hit the side of a barn.
Man of the Match: Wesley Sneijder (NED)
Japan 1-0 Cameroon
39' JPN Honda (1-0)
72' CAM N'Koulou (YC)
90+1' JPN Abe (YC)
A goal set up very well from the Japanese was enough to award them full points in their encounter with the Indomitable Lions. Cameroon, the favorite going in, did not play well for various tactical reasons, whereas the Japanese adapted very nicely to their opponents.
JPN Verdict: The Japanese showed their prowess in midfield, anchored of course by Nakamura, and contained the Cameroonian attack very well. A positive result against Denmark may be enough to see themselves through.
CAM Verdict: A very poor showing from the team many thought would advance out of the group behind the Dutch. Getting their tactics all wrong, they played Eto'o as somewhat of an attack right mid and attacking players as playmakers. They got it all wrong, and if they are to advance they must win their remaining two games, including an encounter with the Netherlands.
Man of the Match: Honda Keisuke (JPN)
Italy 1-1 Paraguay
39' PAR Alcaraz (0-1)
62' PAR Caceres (YC)
63' ITA De Rossi (1-0)
70' ITA Camoranesi (YC)
By far the best game of the day, Paraguay looked like they could pull off the impossible. They had the confidence, the solid play, and were outfoxing Italy on many occasions. When Mauro Camoranesi was introduced for Italy around the 57th minute, he made an astounding impact. The Italians suddenly had creative drive, and were able to move the ball forward, and eventually scored from a goalkeeping blunder, with the goal scored by the man who had repeatedly tripped over himself throughout the match (Daniele de Rossi). Both teams though played well (though Italy played below it's astronomical standards), and was a very entertaining match start to finish, one of the best of the first few days.
ITA Verdict: The Italians were lucky to salvage a point given their play and comparing it to the South Americans. They were rather uncreative on the attack, and their normally rock solid defense seemed rather porous at many points of the game. They got a point to start their title defending campaign, and there are many things that the Italians can improve on, but most of them showed up in this match, so as long as they keep refining their team as well as integrate starters returning from injury (Pirlo, Gattuso), they should continue to gain strength moving forward.
PAR Verdict: The third place CONMEBOL team showed why how they beat Argentina and were the only one's to beat Brazil by a two goal margin in qualifying. Very solid in defense and a steady attacking presence showed that Paraguay deserves their place in South Africa, and they aren't going home without a fight. Not even fielding their best attackers, Paraguay embarrassed Italy in many ways, and should be proud of the way they played. With games against Slovakia and New Zealand coming up
Man of the Match: Mauro Camoranesi (ITA)
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