Okay, big day today:
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Netherlands vs Denmark Kickoff 1:30pm at Soccer City, Soweto (Johannesburg)
My uber-favourites are probably tied with Spain as football's biggest disappointments, having only won major honours once in recent times (Euro 88.). Defeated twice in the finals, in '74 to Germany and '78 to Argentina, as well as the 98 semi-finals to Brazil, the Netherlands always look a worthy prospect on paper and never perform when it counts. Hopefully this time will be different, with a fit-from-injury van Persie up front and terrifyingly skilled Arjen Robben running amok in midfield again after his recent injury scare. Add to that more than competent teammates such as Gio van Bronckhorst, Welsey Sneijder, Rafael van der Vaart, Dirk Kuyt and Ryan Babel and the squad is as strong as any Dutch side has been. As with Argentina, however, the proof in the pudding is not so much in the eating as in the cohesion. When it comes to technical ability, vision and skill the Dutch could rape any team out there; whether or not they actually do has always been another story.
The Golden Generation of Danish football peaked in 1992 with a surprise Euro 92 win. IIRC, the Danish had not even qualified for the tournament and were given a wildcard entry taking Yugoslavia's spot after the civil war broke out in Bosnia. However, the talent of Peter Schmeichel and the Laudrup brothers among others saw off all challengers. Those times are long gone - they failed to qualify for the 94 World Cup and the 2006 World Cup with strong enough showings in between. The current squad has only a handful of household names in it and most of them are in their own golden years. The Danish will need a surprise upset against the Dutch if they are hoping to progress to the next round.
Prediction:
I hope I don't jinx my beloved Orange, but I'm calling it Neth 3-0 Den
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Japan vs Cameroon
Kickoff 4pm .za time in Bloemfontein/Mangaung
This is the first match at the Free State Stadium in the Orange Free State province, between the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon and Samurai Blue. Japan have qualified for the last three tournaments as well as co-hosting in 2002, but have rarely impressed. They are up against a well-drilled Cameroon and will need nothing short of a miracle to get a result this afternoon.
The Indomitable Lions are in their 6th World Cup after missing out on a ticket to the 2006 finals. Every player in the squad is based in the top leagues in Europe at present and the side should overcome the Japanese with some ease on paper. Talismanic captain Samuel Eto'o is coming off the back of a sterling season with Internazionale having completed another Champions' League win with the Neroazzuri.
Prediction: Cameroon 2-0 Japan
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Italy vs Paraguay
La albiroja take on reigning holders the Azzurri in the evening fixture in Green Point. I will be there
wearing my retro France '98 Italy supporters' t-shirt in the pissing rain and howling wind, so they'd better fucking win. PAraguay are playing their 4th consecutive World Cup and have made the 2nd round twice in recent tournaments. They had a good qualifying run, finishing only 1 point off the lead and in third only by virtue of goal difference. Apart from Italy, though, their group F is comparatively "easy" with the numbers made up by New Zealand and Slovakia, countries whose football prowess is really in its infancy at present. Goals if any will probably come from in-form frontman Roque Santacruz.
Italy are a football powerhouse but have often been thwarted early on in tournaments and frequently seem to have a slow start. However, each squad member is top-class and playing in the top clubs in the top leagues in Europe, and the Italians are never not a handful. The current squad is a finely-balanced mix of youth and experience, with the ability to score goals coming from almost any player on the pitch explaining their 4 WC tournament wins.
Prediction: Italy 1-0 Paraguay
-d-
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They weren't even expected to be at the World Cup.
