Content: Banyan Branch
Were you suprised by Italy’s tie? Were you expecting more from the champions?
Holland vs. Denmark
The Netherlands got their World Cup campaign off to a winning start with a 2-0 victory over Denmark thanks to an own-goal and a late tap-in from Liverpool’s Dirk Kuyt.
The star-studded Dutch are among the favorites to win the World Cup in the final at Soccer City on July 11, but Bert van Marwijk’s side failed to impress at the same venue here as the pragmatic Danes defended well.
An own goal by Danish defender Simon Poulsen at the start of the second-half and Kuyt’s 85th-minute effort was enough to give the Netherlands the three points…(continue)
Japan vs. Cameroon
Japan beat a lackluster Cameroon 1-0 in Bloemfontein through a Keisuke Honda goal to notch their first ever World Cup victory on foreign soil.
It was also a belated birthday present for Honda, who had turned 24 the day before.
The Blue Samurai, struggling for goals in the run-up to the tournament, took the lead in the 39th minute and held on for the remainder of the match despite increasing pressure from the African side in the second half.
Neither side looked capable of breaking the deadlock in a scrappy first half in which clear chances were in short supply until Daisuke Matsui maneuvered the ball onto his left foot and delivered an inswinging cross from the right…(continue)
Italy vs. Paraguay
Italy got their title defense off to a stuttering start when they needed to come from a goal down to draw 1-1 with Paraguay in their 2010 World Cup opener.
The four-time champions came into the match at Green Point Stadium under pressure after a underwhelming build-up, and they had to dig deep to salvage a point.
On a cold and wet night, the South Americans stunned Marcello Lippi’s men by taking the lead on 39 minutes when Antolin Alcaraz outjumped ageing Italy captain Fabio Cannavaro and Daniele De Rossi to head home a cross…(continue)
Links!
Check out the latest World Cup News provided by futbol.univision.com
Live Stream
World Cup Schedule
Game Results
Group Standings
Team Sites
News
Top Stories:
Eriksson hopeful about Drogba
Italy keeper Buffon injures back
Related posts:
