Match Day Four

THALEFANG CHARLES | Monday June 14, 2010 00:00

 

Netherlands 2 - Denmark 0 Simon Poulsen's own goal and Dirk Kuyt's tap-in the 85th minute were the only goals in this first Group E match in Johannesburg Soccer City Stadium. The Dutch who are among the favourites to win the cup did not live up to expectations. Denmark was unlucky when Poulsen's header hit teammate Daniel Agger and went into the back of the net. Denmark's own goal, which was the tournament's first own goal piled pressure on the team until Kuyt late goal sealed a two nil victory for Netherlands. The Dutch will face Japan in Durban on Saturday while the Danes will take on Cameroon in Tshwane.

Japan 1 - Cameroon 0 Cameroon suffered defeat from what was on paper regarded as their easiest opponents when Keisuke Honda scored the match's solitary goal to claim three points for the Japanese and join Netherlands in leading Group E. The match played in Bloemfontein at the Free State Stadium was Japan's first victory on foreign soil in the World Cup finals. The Indomitable Lions will be desperate for three points when they face Denmark in their next match if they want to remain in the tournament.

Italy 1 - Paraguay 1 The defending champions, Italy were held to a one all draw at the Green Point Stadium in a wet and chilly Cape Town. Paraguay proved to be tough opponents to the Azzurri as Antolin Alcaraz stunned goal keeper Gianluigi Buffon with a neat header from Aureliano Torres's free kick in the 39th minute. Italy got their equaliser in the second half from Daniele de Rossi's foot. Paraguay managed to successfully absorb the pressure from the champions in the dying minutes of the game. Italy and Paraguay will on Sunday face the minnows New Zealand and Slovakia respectively.