Day 31 - WORLD CONQUERORS
Spain fulfills its destiny, taking home the country’s first-ever World Cup Championship.

July 11, 2010
by Dan Krier

Spain 1 - Netherlands 0

And so it happened. With an extremely late goal by midfielder Andres Iniesta in extra time, Spain won the 2010 FIFA World Cup, victorious for the fourth straight match by a result of 1-0.

By anyone’s account, it was a substandard affair Sunday night in Johannesburg, with each team taking dives on fouls in order to elicit yellow cards, which came in hordes as both sides were handed a record number of 13, the previous high being 6. And while it could be said that head referee Howard Webb was too quick to book players, a lot of the challenges were overexuberant and came across as dangerous sloppy play.

For the Netherlands, this day will forever go down as a game of missed opportunities. Twice during the second half - in the 62nd and 83rd minutes - Holland’s Arjen Robben was denied by the diving legs of Spanish goalkeeper Iker Casillas on clear-path 1-on-1 breakaways. Robben and the rest of the Netherlands will be replaying those moments in nightmares for the remainder of their lives.

Spain, as well, had multiple chances to score, though nothing as wide open as the runs made by Holland’s Robben. In the 70th minute, World Cup leading-scorer David Villa was given a sliver of space to shoot on a mishandled cross through the Dutch box, but he couldn’t solve the tight angle off the left side of the goal, keeper Maarten Stekelenburg making one of several great saves during the match.

Then in the 77th minute, Sergio Ramos was denied glory when he missed a wide-open header on a corner kick that caromed off his forehead before sailing high over the bar. The game stayed tied 0-0 until the 90th-minute whistle, forcing thirty minutes of extra time.

In the overtime period, things went back & forth, with the best chance to score by Spain’s Cesc Fabregas thwarted by the leg of Stekelenburg in the 95th minute to preserve the shutout. But shortly thereafter, things took a major turn for the worse for the Netherlands, because another rough tackle by Holland’s John Heitinga yielded his second yellow card for pulling Spain’s Iniesta down from behind, which translated to a RED CARD and a send-off, putting Spain in the position of having a one-man advantage.

Finally, then, in the 116th minute, the moment came.

With the prospects of another bland penalty-kick shootout just four or five minutes away, Spain was able to cash in on their power play before it was too late.

On the goal, substitute forward Fernando Torres took the ball on a pass up the left side, where he crossed it to the front of the box toward another reserve, teammate Fabregas, who then slid the ball right, where Andres Iniesta controlled the bouncer just enough to fire a right-foot volley into the net off the bottom of Stekelenburg’s right hand, giving Spain the lead 1-0 in the nick of time.

The goal marked the end of the road for Holland, who couldn’t create a last-gasp chance, falling in what is now their third World Cup Final defeat. Utter joy for Spain, who hoist the cup for the first time in history, this team taking its spot in the books as one of the best ever, having won the 2008 UEFA Euro Crown along with the 2010 World Cup.

Though they only won each of their knockout games by the score of 1-0, Spain is undoubtedly the best team in the entire world. Congratulations.

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Day 26 - ORANJE CRUSH
Holland appears marked for glory in reaching their third-ever World Cup Final.

July 6, 2010
by Dan Krier

Netherlands 3 - Uruguay 2

Sometimes the path to greatness is riddled with its share of ups & downs. Other times, it’s smooth sailing from square one.

The latter case represents the way in which the Netherlands national football team have reached the 2010 World Cup Final, this last step completed with a rather dominant 3-2 victory over a never-say-die Uruguay side that overachieved from the moment they got to South Africa.

And truly, this game was par for the course for the Dutch, who entered the World Cup rolling on the heels of a perfect 8 wins out of 8 in 2010 UEFA World Cup Qualifying, scoring a total of 17 goals in those games while yielding only 2. They then strode through the 2010 preliminary round with a perfect three wins and nine points, winning Group E after just two matches were completed.

Next came a 2-1 triumph over a crafty Slovakian squad that had upset Italy just days before, followed by an astounding comeback victory over world #1 Brazil in the quarterfinal round. Clearly stated, the Netherlands’ success is no accident.

So the Men of Oranje took their show to Cape Town on Tuesday night, facing off against a Uruguay team depleted of two of its stars, one due to injury (for Diego Lugano) and the other for suspension because of a Red Card (for Luis Suarez). In many ways this game should have been a rout, but Uruguay were too tough to get pushed around, and made one hell of an effort from start to finish.

The game began with Holland on the attack right away, and just as things started to settle in, Dutch captain Giovanni van Bronckhorst unleashed a pulsing sonic boom of a shot that rang true in the 18th minute for a 1-0 Netherlands lead. It was just the sixth-ever goal for the defensive back in 105 career games for his country.

With the goal, Uruguay had no choice. They had to push forward to equalize, and so they tried. But the feel of the game was in hand, and everyone knew this was going to be a Dutch victory. Except Diego Forlan. The Uruguayan striker, who had spent the last month of the World Cup bending shots like a knuckleball from a Major League pitcher, put his left foot to a liner in the 41st minute that beat goalie Maarten Stekelenburg for the 1-1 tie. Relief for Uruguay, fear for the Netherlands.

So back and forth it went for the next half hour of play, no one quite sure of the outcome. But the Dutch began to build, coming close on several occasions when finally, in the 70th minute, secret agent Wesley Sneijder got a shot to glance off a defenders shin, pinballing past goalie Fernando Muslera for the 2-1 regained lead. It was Sneijder’s fifth goal of the tournament, the most by any player thus far (along with David Villa of Spain). Relief for everyone in Holland. It was surely going to be an All-European Final.

And sure enough, just 3 minutes later, a wonderful left-to-right cross from Dirk Kuyt connected perfectly with Arjen Robben, who put the game away with a world-class header, making the score 3-1 Netherlands.

Uruguay’s Maxi Periera netted a very late left-foot goal two minutes into final stoppage time to pull Uruguay within one at 3-2, but even with a couple tense final moments it was too little and too late, so Netherlands move on to their first World Cup Final since 1978. Very very deserved for the players from Holland, who have exhibited fantastic teamwork for over a dozen games in a row. They’re going to be hard to beat on Sunday.

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Uruguay vs. Netherlands

What can you say about this one? Nobody in the world outside of these two countries would have picked either of these teams to reach the 2010 World Cup semifinals, yet here they both are. I’m shocked, but it’s a pleasant surprise since both squads have earned the right to be exactly where they are.

Who has the advantage? Really, I’m not so sure. It could go either way. Or could it?

Advantage-wise, it’s almost comical to bring up the fact that Uruguay is a 2-time Champ, being that their last Cup title came 60 years ago. Netherlands, on the same sad side of the coin, come in off very little recent success as well, having made the finals in both 1974 and 1978, losing both in pretty ugly fashion.

And truthfully, with full rosters on both sides, I would be predicting a 1-1 regulation tie with PKs to decide things. But this match will be far from even due to the two monumental losses that Uruguay will be forced to endure.

One huge void will be star striker Luis Suarez, whose hand ball on the goal line versus Ghana is the reason they’re still alive, but the RED CARD assessed for the do-or-die infraction is accompanied by a mandatory suspension for Tuesday’s game, so no Suarez, who has scored 3 goals in the 2010 World Cup. The other loss is on the opposite side of the field, where anchoring defensive back Diego Lugano is out with a knee injury. As those two go, so go Uruguay, even with rock star Diego Forlan around to cause havoc for Holland.

Therefore, on the back of newly-minted world superstar Wesley Sneijder (who scored both goals in the 2-1 win over Brazil), I look for Netherlands to roll to a victory and their 3rd ever finals appearance on July 11th. Uruguay will still be pleased to reach the third-place game on July 10th.

DK Pick: Netherlands 2 - Uruguay 0

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Germany vs. Spain

Frankly, Spain have been a bore all tournament.

They began things by losing to Switzerland, went on to get a rather narrow 2-goal victory over a massively overmatched Honduras, then finished group play with a sleepwalking 2-1 win over a Chile team that didn’t need a victory to move on out of group play.

Then the Spaniards knocked off the perennially-anemic Portuguese by the thrilling (no!) tally of 1-0, a riotous score that was recreated four days later against puttering Paraguay. ZZZzzzzzzzz!!!

Germany has been the polar opposite of this in every way. Creative, inventive, exhilarating team play has rocketed the young side to the semifinals in the most dominant way possible. Consider this: The Germans’ combined scores in their last wins over England & Argentina add up to 8-1. Immmmmpressive.

Yes, Germany will be without young gun Thomas Mueller, who will be prohibited from playing in Wednesday’s match due to a 1-game suspension for two tournament-accrued yellow cards, but that doesn’t mean Miroslav Klose won’t be racking up more goals in his absence. Look for Klose to break the all-time goals scored record with two against Spain, then watch him add even more in the 2010 World Cup Final, pitting Netherlands vs. Germany on July 11th.

DK Pick: Germany 3 - Spain 1

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Day 22 - #1 BITES THE DUST
Brazil’s championship dreams come crashing down after a furious 15-minute span that turned a sure victory into a sour defeat; Uruguay delivers more dark horse heroics in an unbelievable penalty kick ending.

July 2, 2010
by Dan Krier


Netherlands 2 - Brazil 1

When Friday morning’s sunrise hit the horizon, who could have guessed that the Netherlands were about to vanquish Brazil from the 2010 World Cup?…And by the same exact score by which they ousted Slovakia just 4 days earlier, no less??

I know it’s rhetorical and obvious, but I’m still going to say it: NO ONE. Not me, not the players, not anyone who’s ever seen a World Cup game in their entire lives before this one. No one.

The measure of how unprecedented this truly is can be summed up with one key statistic: Brazil had never lost a game in 37 previous World Cup matches when leading at the half. NEVER.

And the ease with which the Brazilians scored made it seem like this contest would be anything but. 10 minutes in, a midfield laser beam of a pass from soon-to-be supergoat Felipe Melo went right up the gut of the Dutch defense where it latched on to the foot of Robinho, who deftly one-timed the ball into the back of the net for a 1-0 lead and what looked to be a laugher.

But the lasting laugh will go happily to the Netherlands, who approached the second 45 minutes with a “why not?”-attitude, and were richly rewarded for such bravehearted fortitude. Without even hoping to score on the kick, Wesley Sneijder sent a cross towards goal in the 55th minute that skimmed off the scalp of Brazil defenseman Melo (whose head had been treated as collateral damage on a wayward Julio Cesar clearing punch), and the next thing you knew, the game was tied 1-1 on the own goal. Oops.

The seed of self-doubt had been potted & watered, and just 12 minutes later, a blazingly-fast rope of a corner kick was superbly flicked-on by forward Dirk Kuyt, where it stayed up on a platter for the 5’7” Sneijder, who happily became the owner of the 2nd goal against Brazil this day, his smashing header giving the Netherlands an unbelievable 2-1 lead.

Brazil seemed to crumble at this point. Just 4 minutes after the Sneijder goal, Felipe Melo momentarily snapped, completing his nightmare of a match by stomping on a tripped & fallen Arjen Robben in the 72nd minute in what I would label as a clinical case of frustration overload. Player stomp = Red Card. Brazil with 10 men = no comeback vs Netherlands.

Only a lone attack up the left wing by Kaka is all the Brazilians could muster until the final whistle, and the 5-time champions were knocked out, coincidently at the same stage as in the 2006 World Cup, when they were sent packing by a non-bickering French team.

2-1 win for Holland. Amazing. The Dutch get Uruguay for a place in the World Cup finals. Anyone in orange is smiling right now.

Last note: Strange affair overall. Not the best individual player selection if you ask me for Brazil. Because to go to the World Cup without Ronaldinho and come home empty-handed makes the coaching appear to be at blame. It’s a rough thing to take the criticism off the players, who surely didn’t perform their best, but Dunga will be feeling the heat of this failure for years to come. And trust me: I’m not the only one who knows this will be true.

Final last note…Save of the tournament goes to Dutch goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg, who robbed Kaka in the 31st minute with a fantastic stretch, singlehandedly (pun intended) keeping the Netherlands within striking distance instead of being down 2-0. If Holland go on to hoist the cup, the save will be named “The Stekelenburg”, and the man will see a statue of himself in that exact same pose in Amsterdam’s Vondelpark some day. You can book that.

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Uruguay 1 - Ghana 1
(Uruguay wins 4-2 on extra-time Penalty Kicks)

A complete summary of Friday night’s match between Uruguay and Ghana in Johannesburg would likely be the size of a Merriam-Webster Dictionary if you tried to explain all the back & forths and ups & downs that went on in the 120 minutes of action. But the only thing need be said is…Best Game of the 2010 World Cup so far.

To keep it succinct, the story boils down to this: both teams were as evenly matched as you could be at every position, and ball possession stayed constant at a 50/50 clip the whole time. Each team found a way to punch home a top-tier goal (one by Ghana’s Sulley Muntari in first-half stoppage time, the other by Uruguay’s Diego Forlan on a wicked knuckle-curve of a free kick in minute 55), and each side saw numerous chances thwarted by rock-solid defense and right place, right time goalkeeping.

So lets just get down to it. Tied 1-1, we’re in the 120th minute with the referee lifting his whistle to send the game to what would be a boring penalty-kick finish. Ghana has one last chance…a cross from the right that swings in and gets batted around! One kick…off the goalie! Two kicks…goal!!! No wait!…It’s off a Uruguayan defender standing on the goal line. Wait a second…HAND BALL! Wait!…it’s a deliberate hand ball by Luis Suarez. Wow, what?!…RED CARD. He’s gone, outta here. Penalty kick for Asamoah Gyan to end things with a 2-1 Ghana win. Can’t believe they’re gonna win it this way.

Those thoughts took the span of three seconds at most. But the following few minutes will fuel many upon many sleepless nights for those in Ghana, if not all of Africa.

Gyan, who had scored two previous goals via the penalty kick in the 2010 World Cup, stepped up and proceeded to spike the shot high, directly off the crossbar to the sheer relief of the entire Uruguay squad, also turning Suarez’ necessary move into one of the most quick-thinking reactions in sporting history.

So penalty kick shootout it was (I’m not a fan, but what else can ya do?), which ended 4-2 in favor of Uruguay. Ghana really lost the shootout by kicking two goals directly at goalkeeper Fernando Muslera but overall it was a typical PK session where players look good for making it and like fools for missing.

With the win, Uruguay carry their torch to the World Cup semi-finals for the first time since 1970, where they’ll face the Netherlands on July 6th. Great run for Ghana, but like many things in life, it came down to a case of so close yet so far. We’ve all been there.

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That was a shocking 2nd half. I can’t believe how much the game changed after Holland’s first goal.

I don’t think it should have been counted as an own goal for Felipe Melo. It was a fair score by Wesley Sneijder. Melo’s head got pushed forward by the goalie.

Bad luck on that play for Brazil, but they earned their loss. Sneijder was fantastic today.

CAN’T BELIEVE THIS RESULT! PRETTY MUCH THE EXACT OPPOSITE OF WHAT I PREDICTED, HA! OF COURSE.

Brazil vs. Netherlands

This game has the potential to be a classic, and there is some extra spice involved due to the deep history between the two teams.

The Netherlands were knocked out of the 1994 & 1998 World Cup Tournaments by Brazil, and this year will be no different. Brazil has too many weapons to choose from, most notably Luis Fabiano and Kaka. Most importantly, the Brazilians have a mental advantage over everyone they go up against, and in this case it’s only multiplied being that the Dutch are so familiar with playing second-fiddle to the 5-time Champs.

For Holland, expect a good game from stars like Wesley Sneijder, Dirk Kuyt, and Robin Van Persie, each of whom have scored a goal in the 2010 World Cup. I think Netherlands are a great team, but even if they score first, look for Brazil to strike back as necessary to get the victory.

DK Pick: Brazil 3 - Netherlands 1

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Uruguay vs. Ghana

This game is a treat in that neither squad could have been predicted in the quarterfinals, so it makes it even better to know one of them will be making it into the semi-finals.

If that team happens to be Ghana, it will mark the farthest an African team has ever gone in any World Cup. Players like Asamoah Gyan and Kevin-Prince Boateng both have the capacity to move the Ghanaians to the next stage, both having netted a goal in the team’s victory over the United States last week.

Unfortunately for the Black Stars, this Cup appears to be the year of the South American continent, with 4 teams still alive. Uruguay has provided rugged and skillful play in each of its games thus far, and one more win is surely to be expected. Players like Diego Forlan and Luis Suarez are having magnificent tournaments, and they perhaps seem to be a team of destiny. We’ll find out soon enough.

DK Pick: Uruguay 2 - Ghana 0

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Argentina vs. Germany

Along with Brazil vs. Netherlands, this is the other marquee match of the 2010 World Cup quarterfinals, a splendid pairing that just so happens to be a rematch of the 1986 World Cup Final.

Germany is coming off a 4-1 destruction of England in their last match, and Argentina has faced tougher competition in team scrimmages than in their 3-1 win over Mexico last Saturday.

What this adds up to is a fight for the ages, and I am expecting a back and forth affair all game long. Look for goals from the Germans’ best marksmen, players like Miroslav Klose and Mesut Oezil. Argentina, as well, will most likely see a goal or two from either Gonzalo Higuain or Carlos Tevez, who have both registered multiple-scoring games thus far. Also, don’t forget about Diego Milito, who has yet to put his stamp on things in the 2010 World Cup, but is always ready to score when his team needs him most.

All other players aside, the biggest difference is going to come from the littlest man on the field, none other than “Maradona: The Next Generation”, a.k.a. Lionel Messi. He has yet to score in the tournament as well, but all that changes on Saturday. This will be Messi’s signature moment of the World Cup…that is, until he takes his team all the way to the Finals. Buckle up!

DK Pick: Argentina 3 - Germany 2

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Spain vs. Paraguay

Is this the stage at which Spain falls in line with history and sees its way out of the World Cup like so many times before?

Not this year.

Although Paraguay come into this match filled with confidence after winning Group F - which everyone, including yours truly, picked to be a cakewalk for Italy…oops - I’m afraid the candy-stripers will be sugar-free saccharin aftertaste against the Red Fury of Spain’s attacking line: all-stars like Xavi, David Villa, and Fernando Torres, who I fully expect to break out of his slump to provide some of the magic fans are used to seeing from the proficient point-man.

Look for Spain to score early and then hold on, knocking in a late goal to seal the deal when Paraguay is forced to go for broke. Cheers!

DK Pick: Spain 2 - Paraguay 0

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Day 18 - CLASS ACTS

Things are getting tasty at the World Cup with Brazil & Netherlands both winning on Monday to set up a monster of a match between the two on Friday.

June 28, 2010
by Dan Krier


Netherlands 2 - Slovakia 1

The men of the Dutch national football team found themselves flying atop the field Monday afternoon in Durban, breaking out their wings once in each half en route to a decisive 2-1 win against a prominently overmatched Slovakian side.

Netherlands scored their first goal in just the 18th minute thanks to a spectacular one-man effort from fully-healed Arjen Robben, who appeared back on top of his game while slicing his way down the right sideline alone before turning back in to fire a left-foot blast that laced its way down the tiniest of channels into the back right of the net.

Holland took the meager 1-0 lead to halftime, but in no way did the game feel in jeopardy for the men in technicolor-bright orange. Slovakia simply didn’t have the pieces necessary to solve the Dutch defense.

The second half saw several good chances for both sides that were saved by stellar goalkeeping. Slovakia’s Jan Mucha got some luck along with his skill in the 51st minute, blocking a sure second Dutch goal with his face of all things. And then, in the 67th minute, Netherlands netminder Maarten Stekelenburg stopped not one, but two mono y mono Slovakian shots, one by Miroslav Storch and one by Robert Vittek seconds later.

In the 84th minute, the Netherlands were rewarded for their hard work, getting a well-built goal off a quickly-taken free kick that sent a long pass to forward Dirk Kuyt, who worked free up the left sideline before delivering a crispy little cross into the box that was slapped in by Wesley Sneijder for the 2-0 lead. That was all she wrote.

Slovakia’s Vittek did knock in a stoppage-time penalty kick to make the final score 2-1, but the referee blew the final whistle as soon as the ball crossed the goal line, so it was the equivalent to an NBA player hitting a 3 at the buzzer with his team down by 6. Not gonna do it. Vittek does finish his Cup run with four goals, tournament-leading at the time. Well done.

So now Netherlands moves on to face World Cup juggernaut Brazil on Friday in a match that will most-likely decide who ends up in the finals from this half of the bracket. It’s going to be like watching two #1-seeds go at it in the NCAA tournament. Can’t wait.

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Brazil 3 - Chile 0

The Brazilian soccer machine was running on full power Monday night in Johannesburg, as the 5-time Champions behaved like a cobra in an open basket, rising up to strike whenever it felt the need, unleashing its fangs on Chile three times in a 3-0 blanking.

The Chileans charged out the gate like gangbusters, and Brazil let them, sizing up their enemy for the first half hour before getting a proper gauge on where and when to exploit the pressure points. Soon it was all going their way.

The Brazilians began moving into Chilean territory around the 30-minute mark, with Maicon delivering ball after ball across the middle on several free and corner kick attempts.

Then in the 34th minute, an outstandingly perfect pass found its way into the net. Maicon’s out-swinging corner from the right side hooked hard and fast, sailing over the helpless Chilean defense to where Juan got hold of the ball high in the air for a header that scored top shelf over the leaping goaltender. 1-0 Brazil, and there was no looking back.

Just four minutes later, Chile’s reeling defense surrendered another goal on a lightning-quick counterattck that saw Robinho find Kaka up the middle, who acted as a pinball bumper, one-timing his pass to Luis Fabiano for a perfect side-step fake-out of the goalie for an open net. 2-0 Brazil, and it was all but over.

The second half was filled with Brazilian scoring chances, one of which was capitalized on via a Ramires run up the middle from midfield to the penalty box, where he dropped off a pass to Robinho, who one-touched the ball on a lovely finish into the right side of the goal. Great assist, great teamwork, great team. 3-0 final, Brazil’s eighth consecutive victory over Chile.

So the 2002 Champions move on to yet another quarterfinals, where they’ll face Netherlands, whom they played and defeated in both the 1994 and 1998 World Cup. Holland is great, but I’ve seen nothing to make me believe the result will be any different this time around.

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Day 14 - ITALIAN SQUASH
Defending champs are sent packing thanks to a lackluster performance vs. Slovakia, finishing dead last in Group F. Paraguay & Holland move on; Japan sparkles.

June 24, 2010
by Dan Krier

GROUP F:

Slovakia 3 - Italy 2

Italian soccer presented their country with a modern rendition of Pompeii meets Mt. Vesuvius Thursday afternoon in Johannesburg, as the 2006 World Cup Champions played with volcano-fire and lost, buried this day by a massively-underestimated Slovakian side in a 3-2 defeat.

Italy has no one to blame but themselves, especially on the first goal of the match when Daniele De Rossi was handed a karma popsicle for his dive in the box against New Zealand last Sunday, giving away a lazy turnover right outside his own penalty area that was quickly laced home by Slovakian striker Robert Vittek in the 25th minute.

But the complacency didn’t end there for Italy, who seemed determined not to make it out of Round One for the first time since 1974. There was no urgency offensively, and no change of strategy defensively.

And sure enough, in the 67th minute, after a failed corner kick clearance, Slovakia’s Marek Hamsik was allowed to re-cross a pass to Vittek, who directed the ball ever so slightly inside the right post for his third goal of the World Cup and a 2-0 lead for his team.

At this point, desperation finally kicked in for Italy, and the action finally heated up.

The Italians began attacking with vigor, fighting hard until the 81st minute, when Antonio Di Natale was able to punch home a rebound to cut the deficit to 2-1. Then, in the 85th minute, Slovakia appeared to surrender the tying goal when Fabio Quagliarella was allowed to set up shop right in front of the goal mouth, toeing in a deflection to nod things up 2-2…maybe.

But like so many goals that have been disallowed in this tournament already, Quagliarella’s score was wiped off the board by the line judge who deemed the forward offsides, a rare moment of officiating going against the 4-time champs.

And perhaps the decision was taken too much to heart, because just two minutes later, a slumbering Italian defense let Slovakian substitute Kamil Kopunek make a free run into the box before feathering home a goal on his first touch of the match, the play a harmless throw-in that should have been defended instead of observed. 3-1 Slovakia now led, and it was all but over.

Italy’s Quagliarella did well to score on a 20-yard floating chip-shot in the 92nd minute, cutting the game to 3-2, and Simone Pepe had a chance to tie things up just before the whistle blew, but it was the defensive effort that sagged for the reigning cup-holders, and now things are finito…arrivederci.

Italy finish in last place of Group F, while Slovakia move on to the next round, where they’ll face Holland. Joy on one side, anguish on the other. Such is the World Cup.

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Paraguay 0 - New Zealand 0

Paraguay came into their match against New Zealand with a rather safe cushion. The only recipe for disaster would have been a loss Thursday afternoon coupled with a win by the Italians over Slovakia.

Luckily for the South Americans, the Slovakians took care of business versus Italy, so Paraguay knew they would be safe to proceed into the knockout stage of the 2010 World Cup as long as they weren’t victim to a 2 or 3-goal blowout.

Fittingly for a team with such overall strength, the fullbacks of Paraguay kept the scoreboard vacant while the offensive unit did enough to exert their will, pushing New Zealand around for most of the match, never really putting anything in doubt.

With the tie, Paraguay wins Group F and heads to the Round of 16, where they will face Japan. New Zealand played three games and came away with three draws, which has to feel a lot like drinking a keg of non-alcoholic beer. No regrets, but no buzz either.

Pat on the backs, though, Kiwis. You did your nation proud.

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GROUP E:


Japan 3 - Denmark 1

There’s something rotten in the state of Denmark, and it isn’t raw fish.

Japan scored two rather remarkable first-half free-kick goals, one bent in by Keisuke Honda in the 17th minute from 30 yards out, and one in the 30th minute by Yasuhito Endo from dead center just outside the penalty box, leading the way for a 3-1 win Thursday night in Rustenburg.

Perhaps you could blame the Danish defense, but truly both kicks were things of beauty. Nearly unstoppable.

For Japan, it was pure elation since they needed just a tie to advance out of Group E. So with a 2-0 cushion, the team was allowed to play loose and free, their confidence making the Danes looks slow and aged and fit for a loss.

So by the time Denmark scored in the 80th minute, on a Jon Dahl Tomasson rebound off his own botched penalty kick (not the prettiest way to notch your 52nd career goal), the Japanese had nothing to fear, calmly working back to the other end to make it 3-1 on a fantastically clever pass from Honda to Okazaki, who rolled in the score with ease in the 87th minute.

Overall, it was a Grade A performance from Japan, who now look to bring the same magic with them against Paraguay in the Round of 16. For Denmark, it was a tournament filled with defensive letdowns, and it’s no shock they’re heading home so soon after allowing six goals in three games. Ouch.

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Netherlands 2 - Cameroon 1

In a contest that had no real bearing on final Group E standings, Holland kept it more or less in second gear, scoring bookend goals to keep Cameroon winless while getting the victory for the third time of the 2010 World Cup, winning 2-1.

The Netherlands benefited from a nice bit of teamwork between forwards Robin Van Persie and Rafael van der Vaart, who hooked up on a great give & go for the 1-0 lead off Van Persie’s foot, sweeping the ball through Cameroon goalkeeper Souleymanou’s legs.

In the 64th minute, though, Van Der Vaart gave the goal back by committing a hand-ball violation in the penalty box on a Cameroonian free kick, the subsequent PK netted by Samuel Eto’o for his second goal of the tournament.

The last parts of the game were handled mainly by reserves, specifically by the Dutch duo of Arjen Robben and Klaas-Jan Huntelaar. On a beautiful run in the 83rd minute, Robben received the ball just outside the box, turned and fired a left-footer that beat the goalie, banging off the left post before ricocheting back out to Huntelaar, who laced the rebound into the empty net.

With the win, Holland completes Group E with a perfect 9 points, and will head to the Knockout Stage for a date with the underdog Slovakians. No one could have predicted that matchup. Especially me.

—-

ROUND OF 16 MATCHUPS:

NETHERLANDS VS. SLOVAKIA - Mon June 28th
PARAGUAY VS. JAPAN - Tues June 29th

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Day 9 - CLOCKWORK ORANJE
Netherlands advances to Round of 16 after registering win over Japan; Denmark outguns Cameroon; Ghana ties Australia via another penalty kick.

June 19, 2010
by Dan Krier

Netherlands 1 - Japan 0

Holland’s orange-clad team of superstars scored an early 2nd-half goal, and held on to take home their second victory of the 2010 World Cup, defeating Japan 1-0 in Durban on Saturday afternoon.

With the win, the Netherlands are assured a place in the Knockout Stage of this year’s tournament; the first to secure such a birth.

Both teams came into the match having won in their first games last Monday, so each side knew today’s outcome would be critical. Yet after 45 minutes, it seemed like both might be content to merely work a tie, the score going to the lockers 0-0 after only a few offensive chances at most.

Not long after the break, Holland cleared things up.

In the game’s 53rd minute, with the Dutch probing forward trying to crack the deadlock, a crossed ball towards the goal was headed by a Japanese player toward Robin van Persie, who calmly slid the ball back outside of the box to the anticipating foot of midfielder Wesley Sneijder.

Without a trace of hesitation, Sneijder launched a missile of a shot that pulsed towards the goal at light speed, so hard and direct that Japanese goalkeeper Eiji Kawashima’s hands did nothing to thwart the bullet, the ball taking a deflection off the goalie before splashing into the back-right corner of the net.

Japan’s offense then seemed to wake up at this point, and there were several scoring opportunities for the men from the Far East.

But their best chance came right at the end, in the 90th minute, when defender Marcus Tanaka flicked a long pass onward towards teammate Shinji Okazaki only eight feet from the goal. Unfortunately, Okazaki’s sweeping left-foot shot sailed just over the crossbar by a fortunate two inches for Netherlands, who now had the win in hand.

Therefore, the Japanese have some work to do next Thursday if they want to move past the first round. Luckily they will face Denmark with the ability to go through on goal differential in the event of a tie, being that the Danes lost to Holland 2-0. A win, and of course, they’re in.

So things aren’t so bad for Japan…as long as they don’t lose their next game. If only it were that simple. Should be a fun finale.

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Denmark 2 - Cameroon 1

Do you like great defense and clinical goal finishing? Well then then this game wasn’t for you.

A rare combination of poor defending and frustrating offense saw Denmark overcome a 1-0 deficit to Cameroon en route their first win of the 2010 World Cup.

Things looked promising at the start for the Indomitable Lions, who capitalized early on one of the many Danish defensive giveaways. Utilizing a quick steal by Pierre Webo in the 10th minute, the forward connected with disgruntled superstriker Samuel Eto’o on a low cross in front of the goal mouth. Eto’o then calmly smacked the ball into the back of the net, giving his team a 1-0 cushion.

But soon the match turned into a wide-open affair, where it would stay for the remainder of the night.

In the 33rd minute, the Danes traversed almost 3/4 of the field in just 5 seconds on an amazing 50-yard pass from Simon Kjaer to Dennis Rommedahl. Rommedahl took two steps before firing a cross directly to the foot of sliding center-back Nicklas Bendtner, who made sure he wouldn’t miss from so close in. 1-1 was the score, momentum to Denmark.

Then in the 61st minute, after a bevy of shots from both sides (many of which should have been converted), Rommedahl took matters into his own hands, receiving a pass up the right wing before cutting towards the goal Landon Donovan-style, hitting a classy left-foot liner that hooked around the goalie for the 2-1 Denmark lead.

Overall, it was a tough but exciting game to behold. Both squads squandered numerous scoring opportunities, but that’s because both defenses had no issue yielded acres of space to opposing offenses. I’m not sure what to say, but it was a bit horrid and a bit fantastic.

Denmark now controls its own destiny, and can reach the next phase of the World Cup by defeating Japan in their final prelim on Thursday. Cameroon, on the other hand is finished, and has only pride to play for when they take on the Netherlands.

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Ghana 1 - Australia 1

In a game where Australia took the lead in a World Cup match for the first time in team history, Ghana struck back with a well-earned penalty kick that enabled them to pull off the 1-1 tie Saturday night.

Australia scored right off the bat, using a nice free-kick laser in the 11th minute by Mark Bresciano that bounced off the chest of Ghanaian goalkeep Richard Kingson before skittering towards a charging Brett Holman, who slotted the rebound for a 1-0 Australian lead.

But the superior side from Ghana immediately turned it up a notch, attacking with vigor until they were able to leave a lasting mark on the match.

In the game’s 24th minute, midfielder Andre Ayew wrestled his way up the right goal line, moving a well-struck pass back and towards the center of the field, where it was one-timed by defender Jonathan Mensah on its way for a goal.

Sadly, Australia’s Harry Kewell did his best to stop the shot with his shoulder, but instead took the projectile square in the right bicep, a HAND BALL that forced the head referee to issue a crushing RED CARD to the contrite but disbelieving defender.

For the penalty kick, Ghana called on striker Asamoah Gyan, who punched in his 2nd PK in as many games, making the score 1-1, where it stayed despite Australia playing with 10 men for the rest of the match.

Ghana now has 4 points in Group D, but faces the arduous task of squaring off against an unhappy German squad next Wednesday. Not only that, Serbia is going to take dead aim at the Australians in their final match, so what happens with this group is anybody’s guess.

Group D is going down as one of the most exciting mix-of-teams in World Cup history. Can’t wait to see how this comes to a close.

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Day 4 - A LITTLE BIT OF EVERYTHING
Monday’s action involved an own-goal by Denmark, an upset win by Japan, and a face-saving comeback by Italy.

June 14, 2010
by Dan Krier

Netherlands 2 – Denmark 0

Denmark and Holland took a back-and-forth first half affair to the halftime break tied 0-0. It didn’t stay that way for very much longer.

Just one minute into the 2nd Half, the Netherlands were the benficiaries of an own-goal by Denmark which occurred on a rather tame cross by Dutch forward Robin van Persie. Though the lining pass was low and swift, three separate Danish defenders stood fast across the goal-line guarding the way.

Unfortunately for Denmark, fullback Simon Poulsen feebly attempted a clearing header that glanced off a teammate Daniel Agger’s back shoulder and into his own net, giving the Oranje a 1-0 lead. Words can barely describe the humiliation on Poulsen’s face after the gaffe.

With the goal, the wind was completely taken out of the Dane’s sails, a sense of “Why Me??” in the players’ steps. Just the opposite was the case for Holland, who received spirited performances from Wesley Sneijder and reserve Eljero Elia.

By the game’s end, the Danish defense looked at least two steps too slow, and sure enough, in the 85th minute, a tight pass from Sneijder to Elia led to a goal after Elia’s shot beat the goalkeeper, hitting the right post before deflecting directly to the foot of right forward Dirk Kuyt, who sealed the game with his team’s second and final goal.

Netherlands played well as a team, dominating much of the play to get 3 points with the victory. Who’s to say how the 2nd half would have gone without the own-goal. Most likely a Dutch victory regardless, given that Poulson had to make a goal-line save of his own late in the match that would have made the score 3-0.

An expected result today. I still think Denmark has a chance to beat Cameroon and Japan.

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Japan 1 – Cameroon 0

We’ve had a lot of things to discuss in the World Cup so far, but an out-and-out upset victory was not one of them. That is, not until Japan outworked and out-manned an insipid Cameroon side this afternoon.

Save for one or two flashes of brilliance from star Samuel Eto’o, the torchbearer of Africa’s past World Cup success was limited to choppy play and clunky attacks from the middle of the field only, never really attempting to move the ball wide in order to cross back. Cameroon’s best chance to score came on a 30-yard blast that smacked off the crossbar with less that 10 minutes remaining.

Japan, on the other hand, did what undersized teams need to do to win games. They pulled together as a cohesive unit defensively, and probed forward when possible, creating free kicks on numerous occasions.

Not at all lucky, the Japanese tenacity was rewarded in the 38th minute when a perfectly lobbed cross from Daisuke Matsui landed square on the foot of star striker Keisuke Honda, who calmly settled the ball before blasting in a top-shelf left-footer inside of a diving goalkeeper. His reserved celebration had an air of “Yeah, I meant to do that.” You know what? He did.

Nice job, Honda, and nice nice nice win Japan. It’s your first ever World Cup victory away from home soil. That’s something worth remembering.

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Italy 1 – Paraguay 1

Italy fell behind 1-0 at the break on a beautiful 39th minute header off the noggin of Paraguay middle defender Antolín Alcaraz, but the reigning Cup Champions found 2nd Half magic from the feet of Simone Pepe and Daniele De Rossi, pulling even and holding on for a 1-1 draw. Rossi’s goal came at the 63-minute mark with the assist from Pepe on a deceptively perfect corner kick.

Some will blame Paraguayan goalkeeper Justo Villar for allowing the ball to get past him, but the cross from Pepe was fantastic, lined just so slightly in front of the goal box. So i don’t blame Villar in the least. He tried to punch it out. There was nowhere else for him to leap, thinking the ball was going to curve inward. It never did and De Rossi put it away.

With rain pouring down during the entire match, this game featured two of the top team’s in this year’s tournament playing at their most staunch and skilled. Both looked tough enough to move on past the preliminary round and deep into this year’s tournament.

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