DAY 9 REVIEW

As the second weekend of this World Cup got underway, Holland as good as booked their place in the second round with a narrow 1-0 win over Japan. The Asians, showing impressive resolve and solidity, kept the Dutch at bay for long periods, but class eventually told in the end. The first half was a turgid affair, with Japan showing little ambition, and Holland struggling to break them down. They were missing the pace and incisiveness of the still injured Arjen Robben, as Robin van Persie, Rafael van der Vaart and Wesley Sneijder struggled to find their rhythm. When Japan did venture forward, they showed they could play a bit, as the French-based Daisuke Matsui set up Yuto Nagatomo, before the Brazilian born Tulio headed just wide and Matsui volleyed straight at Dutch keeper Maarten Stekelenburg as half-time approached. Holland started the second half on the front foot, and after a period of pressure, took the lead in fortunate circumstances. Van Persie found some space to set up Sneijder, who lashed in a shot from just outside the penalty area. It was well hit, but straight at Japan keeper Eiji Kawashima, but the flight off the ball seemed to deceive him and he could only palm the ball into the net. He can join the list of goalkeepers who have grievances with the much talked about Jabulani. This served to release the Japanese at little bit, as the goalless draw they seems intent on playing for had evapourated. Former Celtic playmaker Shunshuke Nakamura came off the bench, and the Asians spent more time in Holland’s half. But the Dutch responded in kind, and Eljero Elia came on for the second match in a row and made an impression, setting up fellow substitute Ibrahim Affelay only for the winger to waste a one-on-one chance. Japan finished the stronger, and substitute Shinji Okazaki fired over when well placed and the referee waved away penalty claims for a perceived foul on Nagamoto by Nigel de Jong. But the Dutch held on, and Japan’s chances of progressing will come down to their final game against Denmark on Thursday.

In the final match of the day, Cameroon achieved an unwanted first - they became the first country to be eliminated from the World Cup, despite taking the lead and producing a much improved performance from their opening defeat to Ghana. This does not bode well for African football, and the continent's hopes seem to rest on Ghana and the Ivory Coast. A mixture of brilliant attacking play and inept defending brought us one of the most exciting matches of this tournament so far. Nowhere was this more evident than after ten minutes, when Cameroon's bright start was rewarded, albeit in slightly calamitous circumstances. Christian Poulsen played a ridiculous blind pass to his centre back Simon Kjaer, who was sleeping. Pierre Webo stepped in to square for Samuel Eto'o, who had been restored to his favoured central position. One-on-one with keeper Thomas Sorensen, there was only one outcome. With Eto'o playing with verve and Alex Song restored to the midfield, the Indomitable Lions were unrecognisable. Denmark, with the experienced (or ageing) quartet of Dennis Rommedahl, Jesper Gronkjaer, Martin Jorgensen and Jon Dahl Tomasson supporting NIcklas Bendtner, were struggling to gain a foothold in the game, but slowly and surely they worked promising positions. The equaliser, when it came, was beautifully crafted and lethal in its execution. Kjaer atoned for his earlier mistake, playing a gorgeous, diagonal, 50 yard ball which got Rommedahl in behind left-back Benoit Assou-Ekoto, and he controlled the ball brilliantly before crossing for Bendtner to finish with ease. Some sloppy defending allowed chances for Tomasson at one end and Eto'o and Achille Emana at the other, but a combination of good goalkeeping and the woodwork ensured the teams went in at half-time all square. The match continued in see-saw fashion, with Webo and Kjaer exchanging chances, before Denmark scored their second goal, and the winner, just after the hour mark. Cameroon came close to scoring themselves, but caught by a lightning quick counter-attack. Again Assou-Ekoto was caught out of position, and Poulsen found Rommedahl on the right of the penalty area. He skipped past midfielder Jean Makoun, covering for the Spurs left-back, before curling an excellent left-footed finish into the bottom corner. Cameroon had to push forward, as they had nothing to lose. And they did. Emana, Webo and Makoun had presentable chances, before 18-year-old substitute Vincent Aboubakar had the chance to make a name for himself, but a goalbound effort from Cameroon's answer to Michael Owen was heroically blocked by Poulsen, knocking him down for a while. This was better from the Africans, but not good enough. They will be on the plane home after their dead rubber against Holland on Wednesday.


Australia faintly kept alive their hopes of qualifying for the second round for the second World Cup running, but only faintly. A win against Serbia may not be enough to qualify, as only a Ghana win over Germany will see them progress. But it was a vastly improved performance by the Socceroos after the dismal 4-0 loss to Germany in their opening game, especially considering they played for over an hour with ten men. Australia coach Pim Verbeek made four changes to his under-fire side, and they started with a real sense of purpose. One of the replacements, Harry Kewell, was quickly into the action, going down inside the area for a reasonable penalty shout after a challenge from Anthony Annan, but they did take the lead minutes later. A free-kick from 30 yards from Mark Bresciano should have been easy for Ghana keeper Richard Kingson, but the bounced in front of him and he spilled the ball, and AZ Alkmaar forward Brett Holman was quickest to react and clipped the ball into the corner of the net. But the game was to turn on its head after 25 minutes. Andre Ayew showed good determination to work some space for himself on the right side of the penalty area, and his cross found John Mensah. The defender’s powerful shot was blocked on the goal line by the arm of Kewell. It may well have been unintentional, but it prevented a goal scoring opportunity, and the referee gave the penalty and the inevitable red card followed. Asamoah Gyan stepped up to equalise with his second penalty of the World Cup, and there seemed only one winner. However, it was not to be. The inexperienced Africans seemed bereft of ideas, and resorted to long shots and never really threatened Mark Schwarzer in the Australian goal, apart from excellent saves from Kevin Prince-Boateng and Gyan. But that was as good as it got, and it awakened Australia to the possibility they could win the game, despite the numerical disadvantage. Scott Chipperfield headed over when well placed, before former Middlesbrough and Bristol City full-back Luke Wilkshire wasted a glorious opportunity, firing straight at Kingson when one-on-one. As the game wore on Australia tired, but the closest Ghana came was a Mensah header which flew over, and a long range effort from Quincy Owusu-Abeyie which brought a good save out of Schwarzer. Ghana only needs a draw in their final game against Germany to progress, while Australia will cling to the belief that results will go their way. But knowing the Aussies, this will probably happen!

PLAYER OF THE DAY – Dennis Rommedahl.
One of Denmark’s veterans showed there is no substitute for experience as he played a key role in Denmark coming from behind. He was a constant menace for Benoit Assou-Ekoto, often getting the better of the Spurs man and beating him with ease. From as early as the sixth minute, when he fired over when well placed, it seemed he was in the mood. He set up Denmark’s first goal, when a brilliant cross-field pass from Simon Kjaer used his pace to great effect, allowing him to brilliantly set-up Nicklas Bendtner, and he scored a brilliant winner, again utilising his pace to score with his left foot from the edge of the penalty area.

GOAL OF THE DAY – Dennis Rommedahl.
He may be almost 32, but the lightning winger seems as quick as he has ever been. The Ajax veteran was released by a pass from Christian Poulsen which caught Benoit Assou-Ekoto out of position, having ventured forward in the previous attack. Substitute Jean Makoun moved across to cover, but he was no match for Rommedahl as he skinned him before bending the ball around Hamidou with his left foot from the edge of the area. Talk about rolling back the years!
GAFFE OF THE DAY - Eiji Kawashima
The Japanese keeper had an otherwise solid game, but made the crucial mistake to cost his team the game. Yet another goalkeeper who has complaints with the Jabulani ball, and it might have moved in the air. But he should really have dealt better with Wesley Sneijder’s long range strike.

FANTASY TEAM
Wesley Sneijder took his club form onto the international stage, scoring the only goal to earn valuable points for my team, especially considering he is the nominated captain. He was assisted for the goal by Robin van Persie, so all in all, a good performance by the Dutch.