World Cup Day 4: Matches

NETHERLANDS vs DENMARK
The Oranje have a very solid, experienced side and many have given them a chance to go far in this tournament.  Their play in the first half was uninspiring, with great passing in the midfield but no impact on the final third. 
Nigel de Jong was another sore spot for the Dutch.  Playing like the thug he is at Man City, he was given a pass on two nasty challenges that should ultimately have seen him sent off.
Arsenal striker Nikolas Bendtner had several wasted chances for the Danes, and one at the 20' mark that saw his teammate standing in front of an empty net while he tried to take on the defenders and keeper...to no avail.
At halftime the match was still scoreless, but that didn't last long for the second half.
For being great goalscorers, the Oranje were gifted a goal when Denmark's Poulsen tried to head a ball clear in the box, only to see his ball hit the back of Liverpoolian and teammate Daniel Agger and ricochet into the net.  Just one-minute in, the Danes were now down a goal.
Arsenal's Robin van Persie was the worst player on the pitch for the Dutch.  His decision-making was poor, his finishing was poor, and he resorted to his usual complaining.  One of the announcers even said, "heading is definitely not one of his strengths," which is good news for the Gunners that Arsene Wenger has signed Marouane Chamakh, who is fantastic with the head.  It remains to be seen if van Persie can put his selfishness at rest and pass to anyone who is open...
The Danes' chances of coming back were dashed in the 85' when Wesley Sneijder sent a fantastic ball forward to Elia, who smashed it off the post, and Liverpoolian Dirk Kuyt smashed it home.

Dirk Kuyt scores for the Oranje...

...and thanks Sneijder for the buildup

JAPAN vs CAMEROON
With Champions League winner and perennial whiner Samuel Eto'o on the team, you would think that Cameroon would be a favorite to make it through the group and into the second round.  And you would be wrong.  Cameroon, despite the nice play by Tottenham Hotspur's Benoit Assou-Ekotto, played individually and with no organization whatsoever.  One long distance strike in the waning minutes was really their only chance to score.  Eto'o, who has crumpled under the constant expectations and criticism, was a non-factor in the match.
Japan, on the other hand, played with verve and scored the only goal of the game with a superbly-calm Keisuke Honda deadening a ball then slotting it past the keeper.  The Cameroonians were unable to counter and the three points went to the Japanese.

High-flyin' Honda gives his country hope

ITALY vs PARAGUAY
Paraguay gave reigning champions Italy a lesson in fortitude.  Playing with no spark whatsoever in the first half, the Azzurri looked more like the Aworry.  The Paraguayans kept plugging away and their gumption paid off when Antolin Alcaraz (a new signee for Wigan Athletic) headed a freekick in while the Italians stayed flatfooted.

Alcazar makes lazy Italy pay

Italian keeper Gigi Buffon left at halftime with a hamstring injury.
Marcello Lippi must have scolded them for lazy play because they started off the second half by actually engaging on the ball. 
62'  The Italians got lucky with a goalkeeping howler from Villar of Paraguay.  A corner from Pepe went through the hands of the leaping keeper, falling at the feet of Roma AS player Daniele de Rossi...1-1.

de Rossi is congratulated for capitalizing on a howler

Both sides traded shots for the rest of the match but the score remained a draw.  It's a huge point for Paraguay who have always started off their World Cup campaigns with a loss on the first day.  Their point was well-earned today.

Why isn't this man on the Italian side?  No Marco Borriello...no reason to watch them.

I've been very clear that I'm not a fan of the Italians, who have made a fine art of diving.  Their treatment of the world's finest player...ever...in the last World Cup will always find me cheering against them. 

Tomorrow's matchups?  New Zealand vs Slovakia, Cote d'Ivoire vs Portugal, and Brasil vs North Korea

Can Cristiano get rid of his goalless jinx?  Will Didier Drogba play with his bum arm?  Can North Korea pull of an upset of Brasil so their countrymen will know the result? Stay tuned.