Host Nation's World Cup Armchair Diary: Day Four

The general concensus from the first few days of World Cup action is one of disappointment due to several nations playing extremely cautiously to begin their respective campaigns - not to mention a low tally of actual goals scored.

Germany's rout of Australia was, as a result, heralded as the first quality performance and first truly entertaining fixture of the tournament so far - but the former sentiment I feel is extremely unfair to the likes of South Korea who came to South Africa to play, and the latter a harsh reflection on the extremely watchable Argentina/Nigeria encounter.

It seems as if many fans have allowed themselves to be blinded by the majesty of the World Cup to the point that they really expect each game to be a flowing exhibition of a world of footballing flavours. Unfortunately for us, these sides are more interested in progressing at all costs - and so would we, if we were in charge of one of them.

It's safe to assume that the spotlight of having each game so far isolated and televised across the globe will provoke an 'entertain me' culture which can cause a hostile reception for ties even as low-key as Slovenia v Algeria. Fortunately, few games have made for as painful viewing as the Group C underdog battle.

I'd also bet that the chances of things picking up as the group stage progresses and urgency levels increase in search of a spot in the last sixteen, much like most World Cups in the history books, are strong - not to mention the knockout stages.

Of course, if the remainder of the tournament sees very few goals or exciting performances, there may just be a reason to complain...

Anyway, one thing these early World Cup match days do not lack are themes. Yesterday, we had a red card in each of the three games in offer. Today, it was all about enduring a patience-testing first half before play opened up after the interval.

Unfortunately, try as they might, the Dutch just couldn't drag a satisfying encounter out of an insipid Denmark side. And while the action did indeed pick up somewhat with a pair of match-winning Dutch goals and the substitute cameo of the cup so far from Hamburg winger Eljero Elia, a combination of over-complicated Holland passing and an apparent lack of, well, anything from their Scandinavian foes led to about an hour of the 90 minutes feeling like a waste of time.

It is amusing in retrospect how capable the Danish defence appeared while holding some of the finest attackers in the world to a goalless draw heading into the break. It took less than a minute after said break for the illusion to crumble as a catastrophic game of human pinball saw Robin Van Persie's cross eventually trickle in off the back of Daniel Agger.

Another Liverpool star would double the lead - intentionally, this time, after Sorensen managed to just about push an effort from the impressive Elia onto the post, where Dirk Kuyt was waiting to put the result beyond doubt.

To their credit, the Netherlands did their best to keep the viewers as riveted as they were for last night's German destruction of the Ozzies. Rafael van der Vaart and Wesley Sneijder both came close in spectacular fashion.

But unless Denmark can regroup, they have a good chance of being one of the first names crossed off the World Cup wallcharts as they showed next to nothing to me outside of a couple of decent Rommedahl runs and Nicklas Bendner's attempt to out-offside Emile Heskey.

The Danish performance will have calmed some nerves in the Japan and Cameroon dressing rooms ahead of their opening game moments following the final whistle at Soccer City. However, it again wasn't until the second half that both sides began to express themselves on the pitch.

This suited Japan to a tee. With media around the world talking up Cameroon's chances and branding them the likely runners-up behind Holland in the group, they were happy to be patient, organised and ready to strike - and that they did shortly before half-time courtesy of Keisuke Honda's cool finish to some slick passing and a dangerous cross to the far post.

Meanwhile, Paul Le Guen stirred up plenty of interest in the game just by insisting on leaving star man and captain Samuel Eto'o out on the right - the African legend in the making struggled to influence his side nor play them back into the game and Yuichi Komano worked tirelessly to keep it that way.

Le Guen favoured a tall, strong target man in the thick of things whether it be Eric Choupo-Moting or his replacement Mohamadou Idrissou. But the plan was backfiring and time was running out amidst a well-paced and hard-fought second 45.

As the game reached a satisfying crescendo, Cameroon turned up the heat as Stephane M'Bia rattled the angle with by far the best shot of the game before Japanese 'keeper Eiji Kawashima produced a vital parry to deny Pierre Webo.

While the defensive Blue Samurai and the tactical misfire of the Indomitable Lions wouldn't have struck too much fear into the heart of the Dutch, both sides offered a lot more at first glance than Denmark - and for now, it's another unfancied Oriental nation with the edge in their group.

Group F meant it was finally time for the World champions to begin their defence - though perhaps not since Frank Bruno's WBC championship win in 1995 has a World title defence got off to such a worrying start.

Fielding an uncomfortable 4-3-3 hybrid formation with no Di Natale as well as target man Iaquinta being given the Eto'o treatment, the Italians stumbled out of the blocks in another poor opening 45 minutes, memorable only for the shock lead taken by Paraguay courtesy of a wonderful Aureliano Torres set piece being headed beyond Gianluigi Buffon by defender Antolin Alcaraz.

At times, it resembled a younger, more organised version of the classic Italian style beating the old guard at their own game. In the second half, they proceeded to gradually take possession from the champions, as well - until a moment of madness at the back swung the pendulum.

It would seem that goalkeeping howlers may just be what people remember the 2010 WC for, and Justo Villar's awful half-hearted attempt to clear Pepe's corner made it easy for Daniele De Rossi to bundle home the equaliser.

Suddenly, out of nowhere came a growing beacon of old Italy supremacy as they took the game back and looked the likely team to snatch a winner. However, Paraguay managed to regain their senses - at least at the back - to claim a respectable point in the process of getting their most difficult group game out of the way early.

It's a little hard to believe that either Slovakia or New Zealand could sit two points clear at the top of Group F come 14:30 local time tomorrow. Of course, this lead will likely serve to be little more than a welcome boost in the victor's efforts to snatch second place in just over a week's time - and hopefully also some incentive for the sides to give it their all tomorrow lunchtime.

Meanwhile, Group E looks to be reaching the same Holland-dominated destination as most predicted albeit via a slightly different route than envisaged, thanks to some deceivingly smart Japanese play and a deserved (and crucial?) three points.

Unfortunately, today's action doesn't have much bearing on the rankings so far - but here's the revised list:

THE GAMES SO FAR:

1. Germany v Austrailia, Group D, June 13 (4-0) - 8
2. South Africa v Mexico, Group A, June 11 (1-1) - 7.5
3. Argentina v Nigeria, Group B, June 12 (1-0) - 6.5
4. Ghana v Serbia, Group D, June 13 (1-0) - 6
5. England v United States, Group C, June 12 (1-1) - 6
6. South Korea v Greece, Group B, June 12 (2-0) - 6
7. Japan v Cameroon, Group E, June 14 (1-0) - 6
8. Holland v Denmark, Group E, June 14 (2-0) - 6
9. Italy v Paraguay, Group F, June 14 (1-1) - 5.5
10. France v Uruguay, Group A, June 11 (0-0) - 3
11. Algeria v Slovenia, Group C, June 13 (0-1) - 3

THE GOALS SO FAR:

1. Tshabalala (South Africa v Mexico, June 11) 9
2. Podolski (Germany v Australia, June 13) 8
3. Klose (Germany v Australia, June 13) 7.5
4. Ji-Sung Park (South Korea v Greece, June 12) 7.5
5. Muller (Germany v Australia, June 13) 7.5
6. Gerrard (England v United States, June 12) 7.5
7. Heinze (Argentina v Nigeria, June 12) 7
8. Honda (Japan v Cameroon, June 14) 7
9. Cacau (Germany v Australia, June 13) 7
10. Alcaraz (Paraguay v Italy, June 14) 7
11. Jung-Soo Lee (South Korea v Greece, June 12) 6
12. Kuyt (Holland v Denmark, June 14) 6
13. Koren (Slovenia v Algeria, June 13) 6
14. Marquez (Mexico v South Africa, June 11) 5
15. Dempsey (United States v England, June 12) 5
16. De Rossi (Italy v Paraguay, June 14) 4.5

NOTE: Own goals, like penalties, won't be tallied. So at least on this blog, Daniel Agger will be spared any further notoriety.

I'll be back with another blog tomorrow with my thoughts on one of the ties of the first round of group stage fixtures - Portugal v Cote d'Ivoire. Also in that group, David v Goliath as Brazil meet North Korea and Group F finishes up its opening games as New Zealand play Slovakia.