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. 

Netherlands Vs Cameroon

24/6/10 Green Point Stadium, Cape Town

Netherlands 2-1 Cameroon

Goal Scorers: Robin VAN PERSIE, Klaas Jan HUNTELAAR and Samuel ETO'o [penalty]

Holland became the second team after Argentina to win all their three matches. They started of in strong form, and in this match against Cameroon showed their classic manners of play, almost an easy advance to the last 16. Robin van Persie is one of the most superior players in the team, and one of Oranje's notable favourites, Arjen Robben made his comeback into the team. The fans were so bright and cheery, and it added to the happy Dutch ride to the next round.

Paraguay vs. New Zealand

24/6/10 Polokwane

It was a draw. So, Paraguay was now to proceed to the elusive next 16 class.


This is only the first step and there’s no reason why we have to settle just for this.

Denis Caniza, Paraguay defender.

Slovakia vs. Italy

24/6/10 Ellis Park, Johannesburg

Slovakia 3-2 Italy

Goal Scorers: Robert VITTEK (25', 73'),Kamil KOPUNEK (89') and Antonio DI NATALE, (81) Fabio Quagliarella (92)

The Champions of the world... are going home. They have been shoved out of the tournament by Slovakia. Of all people, the Slovakians beat them, and they did it well. 'Forza Azzurri' did not exist today, no, it was a tired Italian team, happy at having won the '06 world cup, they simply did not have the strength to pull the entire thing off again. They were actually playing some sort of walking soccer. The altitude does seem to get to the players a bit, and so does the cold. Well done to the Slovaks, but it just makes it worse for the South Africans, all these minions got through, and they are just lying dead on the side.

I was not quite as sad as having the French go home, but I think it is rather depressing to have the Italians out. I'm going to miss Fabio Cannavaro, he has to be one of most favourite players. Oh, I kept jumping up and down in hope, but they just could not play.

Those last goals came at minutes when the Italian fans held their palms together, almost knowing that their beloved team would not let them down. That very day the fans had been walking around Sandton Square, happy and relaxed, but now the tears ran pretty. Alas, Quagliarella's exquisite curl into corner of net, voted goal of the day by FIFA came way too late.


It might take a few world cups to get over this loss, after all, Italy have won four world cups. They are celebrated soccer champions. I wish it was a heroic defeat, but this was just sad. And that is a sorry way to end matters. 

“I assume complete responsibility for this failure.  When a team goes into a match as important as this with fear in their stomachs and heavy legs, it’s because the coach hasn’t prepared them well enough mentally, physically and tactically, but above all mentally. I offer my apologies to Italian sport, everyone.”  said the Italian coach.


Marcello Lippi and Raymond Domenech are going to be shipping of to Antarctica.

Arrivederci Italia...

Germany vs Ghana

23/6/10 Soccer City, Johannesburg

Stadium: an attendance of 83 000

Germany 1-0 Ghana

Goal Scorer: Mesut Ozil

It was one of the most tremendous soccer matches in this World Cup. It was worth watching, nail biting and it was also clean play, as the referee didn't feel the need to show us his evil side. 

I've watched three world cups properly, and I don't know why people keep saying the Germans only defend. These guys only play in the midfield. The Ghanaians definitely had one up on this young team, who kept losing the ball in the first half. It was almost 'oh no! please' soccer, where you keep shouting at the TV screen, because you're worried that they are going to lose. Ghana had enough chances, alright, they only needed a draw, but I was rather happy that they didn't get any goals in. They are a brilliant soccer team, and the better than all these other African sides.

You need fresh talent, and you also need experience. The Germans missed Klose, and I think they missed Ballack too. The rest of the team can be sprightly, but Muller was a bit unsteady and Ozil couldn't score sometimes. Philip Lahm is a leader by his never ending play, he is always dashing down to the front and made a prolific save. He is a person and a player of much merit.

Then, after almost an eternity, there was the Mesut Ozil goal. It was breathtaking. Brother, may Allah bless you. You are brilliant. It was as if the entire stadium sighed, both in raptures at the strike and in relief. You need to resilient to play the Ghanaians, because they are both strong and fast. Truth be told, the Germans could have lost. They barely scraped by. 

Well done to both teams.

Ghana will face the USA in the next round and Germany the English.

On the teams next clash with Deutschland, Frank Lampard said its "a huge glamour game".

Australia vs Serbia

23/6/10 20:30 Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit

Australia 2-1 Serbia

Goal Scorers: Brett Holman, Tim Cahill [A] and Marko Pantelic [S]

Group D was the most interesting, fiery and determined teams in the finals so far. See, every single team had a win, with Australia adding to that list tonight. The magnificent goal from Tim Cahill, where he proceeded to beat the corner flag, and vent all his frustration for that red card. A stunning spur of the moment strike from Holman, one of those that you don't see often, and Marko Pantelic getting a late goal for Serbia.

To be honest, I hardly watched the match. I was way too caught up with the German game. The Socceroos played a most worthy performance, and, like any of these underdog teams in the World Cup, should be well applauded for their efforts. They could have gotten through, just like how SA could have, but it was not to be.

See ya, mates!

U.S.A vs Algeria

23/6/10 16:00 Ellis Park, Tshwane/Pretoria

USA 1-0 Algeria

Goal Scorer: Landon Donavon

The last minute goal, into extra time, those few precious seconds and the American got a goal. Yes, they were through to the next round. They say it was their 'never say die' or 'never give up' attitude, and all credit to them for that. Although the Kiwis also scored in that last minute and I don't know what you would call their spirit