score football magazine

World Cup 2010
South Africa

Monday June 14th

Group E

Dutch defeat demoralised Danes

Netherlands 2 Denmark 0 (Johannesburg)
The Netherlands laboured to a 2-0 victory over Denmark. A minute after a cagey first half that saw Rommedahl shoot straight at Stekelenburg in the 34th minute and Kahlenberg's angled shot parried away for a corner, the Dutch took the lead when Poulsen headed a cross into his own net off the back of Agger. The second half produced one-way traffic after the goal and van der Vaart flicked a van Persie cross bringing a flying save out of Sorensen in the 59th minute who turned a van Bommel shot round the post in the 73rd minute while Sneijder clipped the bar with a looping shot in the 82nd minute. Influential substitute Elia got through on goal and knocked the ball past Sorensen who touched it onto the post in the 85th minute leaving Kuyt with an easy tap-in, and the Dutch could have gone further ahead 2 minutes from time when Afellay got his foot to a cross but Poulsen made an incredible overhead off the line clearance.

poulsen
Poulsen header end up in his own net

Japan tame African Lions

Japan 1 Cameroon 0 (Bloemfontein)

A goal from Keisuke Honda was enough to give Japan a victory over Cameroon. The goal which was the only major event in the first half came in the 38th minute when a cross found Honda who stabbed the ball in at the far post. Five minutes into the second half, a good run in the box by Eto'o ended with him pulling the ball back to Choupo-Moting who curled it over the bar. The Indomitable Lions looked more dangerous towards the end of the match and Mbia rattled the bar with a thunderous shot 5 minutes from time.

honda
Honda scored Japanese winner
Group F

Paraguay hold champions

Italy 1 Paraguay 1 (Cape Town)

Italy began the defence of their title with a draw against Paraguay. Torres floated in a free-kick in the 39th minute for Alcaraz to head into the Italian net against the run of play. Ten minutes after the interval the ball fell to Vera in the Italian box whose rushed shot flew wide, but in the 63rd minute Paraguayan keeper Villar flapped at a corner-kick and de Rossi was behind him to knock the ball in for the equaliser after which Italy took control and came close with a shot from Pepe straight at the keep in the 80th minute and a long-range shot from Montolivo 3 minutes later forcing the keeper to get down to his right and push the ball behind for a corner.

de rossi
de Rossi levels for Italy


Go to World Cup 2010 index