PSW's Daily World Cup Update: Tuesday, June 15, 2010 [VIDEO]

The 2010 FIFA World Cup continues today with three matches from Group F and G. Wil we continue to see a lack of goals? Should we blame the Jabulani ball, the vuvuzelas, or just conservative play early on? See below for Day 5 results and recaps (including video highlights), a preview of Day 6, 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]
Day 4 Results and Recaps:
New Zealand  1:1  Slovakia - Slovakia dominated most of the match and seemed to have a lock on a valuable three points in the first game of the tournament. Robert Vittek gave Slovakia the lead after scoring in the 50th minute off of a Stanislav Sestak cross. Vittek looked to be offside, but the goal stood. It looked to be a sealed deal, but New Zealand\'s Winston Reid became an instant national hero after scoring on a header off of a cross in second half injury time to tie the game. The last second goal gave the Kiwis their first point ever at a World Cup. All four teams now have one point in Group F. [+ VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS]

Ivory Coast  0:0  Portugal - The first half was a lackluster affair with Portugal having trouble just getting out of the midfield and Ivory Coast star Didier Drogba starting on the bench. Portugal\'s Cristiano Ronaldo rocketed a long-range shot off the woodwork early on, which was the closest either team got to a goal all game. The teams came out in the second half with a little more aggressiveness, though both teams looked happy to settle for a draw (not necessarily a great thing in the "Group of Death"). Drogba made an appearance in the game when he came on in the 66th minute. [+ VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS]

Brazil  2:0  North Korea - It looked like the last match of the day would be the biggest surprise of the tournament when the teams went into halftime tied 0-0. The North Koreans were this tournament\'s weakest team according to most analysts and the Brazilians one of the favorites with the biggest stars. The North Koreans held strong until Maicon finally broke through in the 55th minute with what might have been intended as a cross but ended up sneaking past the GK at the near post from a difficult angle. The Brazilians added on after Robinho send a beautiful hrough ball to Elano who one touched it far post with ease. But who knew the North Koreans would hang with the Brazilians? They didn\'t stop fighting and in the 89th minute, Ji Yun-nam scored a beautiful goal to bring them within one. It wouldn\'t be enough, and the Samba Kings escaped what was supposed to be their easiest match with three points. [+ VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS]

Looking Ahead to Day 6:
Group H action kicks off in the first two games, with Honduras taking on Chile and tournament favorites Spain against Switzerland. Will Spain be able to recapture their Euro Cup glory or will they continue to fall short in the World Cup? In the last game of the day, host nation South Africa takes on Uruguay in their second games of Group A.

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. Other news from the U.S. MNT camp in South Africa.

* The USA v England match was the most viewed World Cup first round match and fifth most-viewed World Cup match ever.

* 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.

World Cup Group Standings (as of 6/15/10):
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)
Japan (1-0-0; 3pts)
Cameroon (0-0-0; 0pts)
Denmark (0-0-1; 0pts)

Group F
Italy (0-1-0; 1pt)
New Zealand (0-1-0; 1pt)
Paraguay (0-1-0; 1pt)
Slovakia (0-1-0; 1pt)

Group G
Brazil (1-0-0; 3pts)
Ivory Coast (0-1-0; 1pt)
Portugal (0-1-0; 1pt)
North Korea (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):
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)

Saturday, June 19, 2010
Netherlands v Japan - 7:30am - ESPN (Group E)
Ghana v Australia - 10:00am - ESPN (Group D)
Cameroon v Denmark - 2:30pm - ABC (Group E)

Sunday, June 20, 2010
Slovakia v Paraguay - 7:30am - ESPN (Group F)
Italy v New Zealand - 10:00am - ESPN (Group F)
Brazil v Ivory Coast - 2:30pm - ABC (Group G)