World Cup 2010: Day Four (the rest)

I only got to watch the first game live, so let's just talk about the other two games quickly and then cast an eye forward.

Japan 1-0 Cameroon

Probably the shock of the tournament so far, not least because Japan had barely threatened Cameroon's area before scoring and really didn't threaten the entire game - most notably, the Samurai Blue did not record a single corner kick during the ninety minutes. Of course, the Indomitable Lions managed just three, and only two shots on goal despite a 57-43 edge in possession, perhaps explaining their domitability. This makes Group E more than a little interesting; while I still expect the Dutch to progress comfortably, Japan could now potentially squeeze into the knockouts merely by drawing Denmark. Not bad for what looked like one of the three or four weakest squads entering play.

Italy 1-1 Paraguay

Track down Paraguay's goal if you haven't seen it, because it is a thing of beauty - a perfectly located free kick from about 40 yards out that fell right at the edge of the six-yard box, where it was headed neatly into the right corner of the goal so effectively than Gianluigi Buffon didn't even move. Italy's tying goal, by comparison, was a goalkeeping blunder probably no better or worse than Robert Green's or Faouzi Chaouchi's - the Paraguayan keeper, Justo Villar, leapt for a curling corner kick only to see it pass his outstretched arm and land right on the foot of Daniele De Rossi, who easily poked it home. Villar did keep Paraguay in the game with four saves in the match, and even a loss here would probably not have kept Italy out of the knockouts with Slovakia and New Zealand on the schedule, but it has to have been disappointing.

Five games remain in the first set of group matches, with three of them, potentially, liable to be impactful on who progresses:

New Zealand v. Slovakia: I'm watching this because it's Tuesday's early game, but I can't imagine this will have much effect on the outcome of Group F. While the winner, if there is one, can bask in the Slovenia-like early group lead, Slovakia is probably the worst European qualifier and New Zealand might be the weakest team in the entire tournament although I'd love to see them do well.

Ivory Coast v. Portugal: Many howled when Ivory Coast were stuck with Portugal and Brazil in the apparent Group of Death, since they were viewed as Africa's best hope for a Cup winner on home-continent soil. With Didier Drogba's fitness in question, however, it may not matter at this point regardless. I'm still hoping this is going to be a good game, and certainly should Ivory Coast win or draw, second place in the group is open to much more question than it will be if they lose.

Brazil v. North Korea: Brazil has opened up each of the last three World Cups with somewhat unconvincing wins, but it's hard to imagine the North Koreans as anything more than cannon fodder in this group.

Honduras v. Chile: Another case where, as in Group C, the two strongest teams in the group (Spain and Switzerland) play each other in the first game. This enables the winner of Honduras and Chile - again, assuming there is one - to possibly snatch early pole position and be able to stamp a second-round ticket by doing nothing more than tying Switzerland. I also think that this game - featuring two teams with very little to lose - could be among the more entertaining of the first set, though I've been wrong before.

Spain v. Switzerland: Like US/England, if form holds in the other two games for each team, it ultimately may not be all that meaningful. However, should Switzerland lose 2-0 or 3-0 and the Honduras/Chile game produce a winner, the Swiss may begin to sweat.