PSW's Daily World Cup Update: Monday, June 14, 2010

The 2010 FIFA World Cup continues today with three matches from Group E and F. See below for results and recaps (including video highlights), a preview of Day 5, news from around the tournament, group standings, World Cup viewing parties in the metro DC area, and a TV schedule for the upcoming week.

Be sure to check out our latest column, \'Soccer, the American Way\' by PSW\'s Joe Dougherty about how soccer and the World Cup is perceived in the U.S.

[+ Day 1]  [+ Day 2]  [+ Day 3]
Day 4 Results and Recaps:
Netherlands  2:0  Denmark - Though they didn\'t create a lot of great scoring opportunities, the Netherlands beat Denmark 2-0 in the opening match of Group E. The Danish team stayed disciplined, compact and organized, frustrating the Dutch in the midfield and final third. The first goal came in the 46th minute, courtesy of Danish defender Simon Poulsen, who headed a cross akwardly that then deflected off the back of teammate Daniel Agger and into the goal. Dirk Kuyt finished it off in the 85th minute when he put in the rebound of Eljero Elia\'s shot off the post. [+VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS]

Japan  1:0  Cameroon - Cameroon was supposed to be the stronger, more athletic team with bigger names. However, it was Japan that dominated early. Keisuke Honda took advantage of the momentum and scored the game\'s only goal in the 39th minute after settling a cross at the far post and calmly putting it away. Cameroon was never able to get any chances trying to go through the midfield, but began to get some opportunities towards the end of the game when sending the ball in over the top. Defender Stephane Mbia almost got the equalizer for Cameroon in the 87th minute, but his long-range shot hit the left post. This was Japan\'s first World Cup win outside of Japan. [+VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS]

Italy  1:1  Paraguay - The reigning champions almost lost their opening match, as Paraguay struck first to take the 1-0 lead in a disappointing performance for the Azzurri. Paraguay defender Antolin Alcaraz scored on a header in the 39th minute to give them the early lead. However, the lead would only last until the 63rd minute, when Italy midfielder Daniele De Rossi scored a close range shot. GK Justo Villar came out to punch out the cross and whiffed, leaving an easy put-away for De Rossi. Italy also lost their veteran goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon who had to be replaced due to a back injury. [+VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS]

Looking Ahead to Day 5:
The second match of Group F - New Zealand vs Slovakia -  will play the early game. Group G then gets underway as the Ivory Coast takes on Portugal and Brazil plays North Korea. Will Ivory Coast star Didier Drogba be ready to play after having surgery on his broken arm? Will Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal improve play over their World Cup qualifier games? And finally, will Brazil be able to top Germany\'s four goal performance over underdog North Korea? Should be yet another exciting day...

News From Around The Cup:
* U.S. goalkeeper Tim Howard is expected to play in the team\'s next game on Friday vs Slovenia, despite being injured in the tournament opener against England.

* Despite a lot of criticism from TV viewers and players, FIFA president Sepp Blatter is defending South African fans\' right to blow their vuvuzela horns during World Cup matches.

* Former French captain Zinedine Zidane criticized the French team coach Raymond Domenech and said there was no teamwork among the French players at the World Cup.

* Ivory Coast captain Didier Drogba had surgery on his broken elbow and returned to training and may be available for their opener against Portugal on Tuesday, June 15.

World Cup Group Standings (as of 6/14/10):
Group A
Mexico (0-1-0; 1pt)
South Africa (0-1-0; 1pt)
France (0-1-0; 1pt)
Uruguay (0-1-0; 1pt)

Group B
South Korea (1-0-0; 3pts)
Argentina (1-0-0; 3 pts)
Nigeria (0-0-1; 0 pts)
Greece (0-0-1; 0 pts)

Group C
Slovenia (1-0-0; 3pts)
England (0-1-0; 1pt)
United States (0-1-0; 1pt)
Algeria (0-0-1; 0pts)

Group D
Germany (1-0-0; 3pts)
Ghana (1-0-0; 3pts)
Serbia (0-0-1; 0pts)
Australia (0-0-1; 0pts)

Group E
Netherlands (1-0-0; 3pts)
Cameroon (0-0-0; 0pts)
Japan (0-0-0; 0pts)
Denmark (0-0-1; 0pts)

World Cup Viewing Parties for Group Stage games in DC Area:
(We will add others soon via advertisers - click here to advertise with us)

Friday, June 18 - 9:30am (USA v Slovenia)
BlackFinn - 1620 I Street NW, Washington, DC
Fado - DC - 808 7th Street NW, Washington, DC
Pour House - 319 Pennsylvania Ave, SE Washington, DC

Wednesday, June 23 - 9:30am (USA v Algeria)
BlackFinn - 1620 I Street NW, Washington, DC
Fado - DC - 808 7th Street NW, Washington, DC
Pour House - 319 Pennsylvania Ave, SE Washington, DC

TV Schedule for upcoming week (all times are EST):
Monday, June 14, 2010
Netherlands v Denmark - 7:30am - ESPN (Group E)
Japan v Cameroon - 10:00am - ESPN (Group E)
Italy v Paraguay - 2:30pm - ESPN (Group F)

Tuesday, June 15, 2010
New Zealand v Slovakia - 7:30am - ESPN (Group F)
Ivory Coast v Portugal - 10:00am - ESPN (Group G)
Brazil v North Korea - 2:30pm - ESPN (Group G)

Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Honduras v Chile - 7:30am - ESPN (Group H)
Spain v Switzerland - 10:00am - ESPN (Group H)
South Africa v Uruguay - 2:30pm - ESPN (Group A)

Thursday, June 17, 2010
Argentina v South Korea - 7:30am - ESPN (Group B)
Greece v Nigeria - 10:00am - ESPN (Group B)
France v Mexico - 2:30pm - ESPN2 (Group A)

Friday, June 18, 2010
Germany v Serbia - 7:30am - ESPN (Group D)
Slovenia v USA - 10:00am - ESPN (Group C)
England v Algeria - 2:30pm - ESPN2 (Group C)