World Cup Digest: Day 9
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Saturday's football saw the Dutch maintain their 100% start to the World Cup, a ten-man Australia team perhaps feel aggrieved to come away with just a point against Ghana and Cameroon’s chances of progression end at the hands of the Danes.
Holland 1-0 Japan
The Dutch were far from excellent against an overly defensive Japanese side and - just like their game against the Danes in Johannesburg - they waited until the second half before scoring.
Wesley Sneijder got the only goal with a rocket of a shot from outside the box. The Japanese 'keeper Eiji Kawashima made a mess of his effort to stop the shot, but the Dutch were easily the better team and have now cruised through to the second round.
It will be interesting to see how they cope against a team that brings some form of attacking intent to proceedings, which we should see when the knock-out stages are upon us.
Australia 1-1 Ghana
Harry Kewell was spared the tag of villain as his hand-ball gifted Ghana an equaliser and earned himself an early red-card as Australia held on and should have earned more than their point.
The Socceroos took the lead after a Mark Bresciano's free-kick bounced awkwardly in front of Richard Kingston. The keeper should have done better than palming the ball to Brett Holman who opened the scoring.
Ghana struck back after a cross from Andre Ayew fell for Jonathan Mensah. His effort was blasted straight at Harry Kewell on the goal-line. Without having time to do much else the ball banged him on the upper-arm and the referee blew for a penalty and sent Kewell off - the second red-card for the Aussies in two games.
Asamoah Gyan converted the spot-kick for his second of the tournament but Ghana struggled to create much more. The second half showed Australia keeping the Africans on the back-foot with a number of counter attacks causing trouble in the Ghana defence.
But Ghana held on and left the group wide open ahead of the final round of games, with Germany v Ghana looking one of the most interesting games of the next week.
Denmark 2 – 1 Cameroon
No one likes to be eliminated first from the World Cup, but that is the dubious honour the Cameroonian team earned as they lost despite taking an early 10th minute lead through Samual Eto’o.
Denmark, who along with the Republic of Ireland, hold the highest 100% record of qualifying from the group stage, three in all, kept their chances of making it four alive when Nicklas Bendtner equalised from close range. Dennis Rommedahl proved to be the hero of the hour when he skipped past substitute Jean Makoun midway through the second half consigning the African nation to a second defeat.
Group E will be decided on Thursday with Japan and Denmark knowing that a victory will ensure their place in the second round.
Holland 1-0 Japan
The Dutch were far from excellent against an overly defensive Japanese side and - just like their game against the Danes in Johannesburg - they waited until the second half before scoring.
Wesley Sneijder got the only goal with a rocket of a shot from outside the box. The Japanese 'keeper Eiji Kawashima made a mess of his effort to stop the shot, but the Dutch were easily the better team and have now cruised through to the second round.
It will be interesting to see how they cope against a team that brings some form of attacking intent to proceedings, which we should see when the knock-out stages are upon us.
Australia 1-1 Ghana
Harry Kewell was spared the tag of villain as his hand-ball gifted Ghana an equaliser and earned himself an early red-card as Australia held on and should have earned more than their point.
The Socceroos took the lead after a Mark Bresciano's free-kick bounced awkwardly in front of Richard Kingston. The keeper should have done better than palming the ball to Brett Holman who opened the scoring.
Ghana struck back after a cross from Andre Ayew fell for Jonathan Mensah. His effort was blasted straight at Harry Kewell on the goal-line. Without having time to do much else the ball banged him on the upper-arm and the referee blew for a penalty and sent Kewell off - the second red-card for the Aussies in two games.
Asamoah Gyan converted the spot-kick for his second of the tournament but Ghana struggled to create much more. The second half showed Australia keeping the Africans on the back-foot with a number of counter attacks causing trouble in the Ghana defence.
But Ghana held on and left the group wide open ahead of the final round of games, with Germany v Ghana looking one of the most interesting games of the next week.
Denmark 2 – 1 Cameroon
No one likes to be eliminated first from the World Cup, but that is the dubious honour the Cameroonian team earned as they lost despite taking an early 10th minute lead through Samual Eto’o.
Denmark, who along with the Republic of Ireland, hold the highest 100% record of qualifying from the group stage, three in all, kept their chances of making it four alive when Nicklas Bendtner equalised from close range. Dennis Rommedahl proved to be the hero of the hour when he skipped past substitute Jean Makoun midway through the second half consigning the African nation to a second defeat.
Group E will be decided on Thursday with Japan and Denmark knowing that a victory will ensure their place in the second round.
About Gordon Hunt
Gordon Hunt is one of extratime's Dublin based reporters. Having worked with the site since it's inception, Gordon's name is carved into the foundations of extratime's tower block. View Full Profile