Denmark vs Japan

24/6/10 Rustenburg

Japan 3-1 Denmark

Goal Scorers: Keisuke Honda, Shinji Okazaki, Yasuhito Endo and Jon Dahl Tomasson [D]

The Samurai Warriors have drawn their swords. Their footwork is superb too. A gorgeous goal from Honda, kicking it oh so lightly, and the ball obeying, sweeping sweetly into the goals. Certainly one of the best in the tournament. The goals from teammates Okazaki and Endo were also superbly earned. The Danes were out of their depth, a reasonable conclusion, seeing as beating Cameroon is not a very difficult task at all. 

So, this is the second Asian team to move to the next round, with only N. Korea left to join their group. The South Americans all have qualified, with Chile already on six points. Unfortunately, the Africans were left behind and the Europeans barely held on. The Japanese [their hair looks odd] will now face the Paraguayans in the next round, hoping to advance beyond that, something they have not done before. 

Cameroon vs Denmark

19/6/10

Denmark 2-1 Cameroon

Goal Scorers: Nicklas Bendtner, Dennis Rommedahl [D] & Samuel Eto'o [C]

I have frozen fingers, they might just crack and fall of with indignation. African teams are simply hopeless. Although Denmark did not strike me as one of those who might lift the trophy when they played against the Dutch, it just shows the low standard of Cameroonian football. Nobody knows how to defend anymore [with the exception of N.Korea], their all just running to attack, or running somewhere and leaving their goalposts salivating for an attack from the opposition.

I do feel sorry for Eto'o. He scored that goal and I thought they might beat the Danish with some steady soccer, but alas, they were beaten. The last goal from Dennis Rommedahl was wonderful, and suddenly the Danes seem threatening and Japan will have to protect its defense with more determination.

Netherlands vs Denmark

14/6/10 Soccer City, Johannesburg

Holland 2-0 Denmark

Goal Scorers: Daniel Agger [Danish, own goal] &Dirk Kuyt

Johannesburg has beautiful blue skies in winter, and that brightens up the entire city, the sunlight melting the chill. The Dutch crowd looked like nartjies, which are oranges that you peel by hand and find sweet segments inside. I thought everybody knew this until I handed out a box of them to those queuing for last minute World Cup tickets, and they looked at in surprise.

The first of the Group E matches, was filled with spectators, while the teams took the field, ready to take on their first match. It was a reasonably played game, but there was nothing spectacular from either side. The Danish played almost hesitantly but failed to succeed far, while all the hopes were penned on the Dutch having had a streak of continuous wins. However, it took an own goal, a header by the Danish Daniel Agger, to finally get a score on board. Then a late Dirk Kuyt tap-in sealed the victory for the Netherlands.

Robin V. Persie was the only player that notably stood out, playing wonderfully and who's cross led to the final goal. All in all, the match was alright, but it was a decidedly low-key start for the Dutch team.