Top Klaas: Holland 2-1 Cameroon 24/6/10

Holland line-up: Stekelenburg, Heitinga, Mathijsen, Van Bronkhorst (c), Van Bommel, Kuyt (Elia, 66'), De Jong, Van Persie (Huntelaar, 59'), Sneijder, Boulahrouz, Van Der Vaart (Robben, 73')
Cameroon line-up: Souleymanou, Nkoulou (R.Song, 73'), Nguemo, Geremi, Eto'o (c), Makoun, Bong (Aboubakar, 56'), Choupo Moting (Idrissou, 72'), Chedjou, Mbia

Holland take all nine points in the group stage without really hitting top gear as sorry Cameroon bounce out without a point. This game may have been a dead rubber but it still was very entertaining as both teams looked for the win. Cameroon probably played their best game despite losing and had the first notable attacks, Chedjou forced Stekelenburg into action. But Holland soon found possession and started to dominate terms in the game, Van Persie should have put Holland ahead after Van Bronkhorst played a superb ball through but Souleymanou dealt with the tame shot rather easily. Van Der Vaart was the next in line to test Souleymanou with a curling free-kick but the keeper was up to the task. Kuyt also should have scored but he blazed an effort wide but everyone could sense a goal was coming. Five minutes later Holland got that goal with a cutting edge move, Kuyt found Van Der Vaart who threaded the ball through to Van Persie who then coolly nutmegged the goalkeeper as the ball slid into the net.

Holland continued to dominate in the second half and Van Persie should have had a second but Souleymanou made sure he wasn't going to beaten one-on-one again. This was to be his last installment as he was replaced by Huntelaar, this break in play seemed to change the pattern and Cameroon were suddenly the team dominating possession. Eto'o, Nguemo and Makoun were all stopped by a combination of Holland's rigid defence and good stops from Stekelenburg. Cameroon did find an equaliser but it was from the penalty spot; Van Der Vaart was judged to have handled the ball and Samuel Eto'o stepped up to put Cameroon level, the stadium erupted for the African contingent. The crowd got even louder firstly by Robben's introduction by Bert Van Maarwijk but then by history making Rigobert Song who replaced Nkoulou. Both of whom were involved in Holland's second goal as Robben proved to quick and skillful for Song and fired a shot that smashed against the post, which rebounded into the path of Huntelaar who made no mistake and gave Holland their 100% success rate in the group.

Endof The Road For Denmark: Denmark 1-3 Japan 24/6/10

Denmark line-up: Soensen, C.Poulsen, Agger, Jacobsen, Tomasson (c), Jorgensen (J.Poulsen, 34'), Bendtner, Kahlenberg (Eriksen, 63'), Kroldrup (Larsen, 56'), S.Poulsen, Rommedahl
Japan line-up: Kawashima, Abe, Komano, Tulio, Nagatomo, Endo (Inamoto, 91'), Matsui (Okazaki, 74'), Okubo (Konno, 88'), Hasebe (c), Honda, Nakazawa

Japan get the better of Denmark in their do or die match meaning Japan progress to a match up against Paraguay. Even though Japan knew a draw would be enough for them they looked most attacking the first half, Sorensen was forced into action early on to prevent Japan taking an early lead. However Denmark did create chances early on with Tomasson blazing a shot wide of Kawashima's goal. The breakthrough came in the 17th minute direct from a free-kick; Honda striking from 30 yards to find the top left-hand corner giving Sorensen no chance. Denmark began to press for the equaliser and Tomasson could have achieved it but Kawashima pulled of a great parry to prevent it. Japan were two up on the half hour mark from another free-kick; this time five yards closer and Endo emulated Honda's success with a great placement into the bottom corner past Sorensen's diving body. Denmark made an early substitute to try and change the losing midfield battle and Denmark tried to give Japan a taste of their own medicine but Jakob Poulsen's free-kick was easily smothered by Kawashima. Japan still looked for more goals and Sorensen was tested by Komano effort that he had to punch over the bar.

The second half continued in the same vain and Denmark struggled from yet another testing free-kick; Sorensen mad a mess of Endo's strike but managed to put it onto the post and away to safety. Denmark continued creating half-chances but nothing of real quality to get one back for the Danes and Japan looked very dangerous on the counter attack. Again Tomasson failed to take advantage of great opportunities but just about managed to redeem himself somewhat nine minutes from time; Agger was fouled in the box and Tomasson stepped up to take the penalty, it was saved by Kawashima but Tomasson managed to convert the rebound but it was too little too late. That goal meant Tomasson had equalled Poul Nielsen's all time goal scoring record of 52 goals at international level. there was still time for Japan to get a third, Honda provided some fancy footwork to provide a killer pass beating both Sorensen and Rommedahl leaving substitute Okazaki with a tap in into the empty net.

Paraguay Win The Group: Paraguay 0-0 New Zealand 24/6/10

Paraguay line-up: Villar, Morel, Caniza (c), J.Caceres, Cardozo (Barrios, 66'), Santa Cruz, Vera, Da Silva, V.Caceres, Riveros, Valdez (Benitez, 67')
New Zealand line-up: Paston, Lochhead, Reid, Vicelich, Nelsen (c), Elliot, Smeltz, Killen (Brockie, 79'), Bertos, Fallon (Wood, 69'), Smith

Paraguay win the group as New Zealand exit without losing a game, which has to be seen as great progress for the Oceania minnows. It wasn't a great game by any means as New Zealand played their naturally defensive game and Paraguay looked to be playing for that draw, most likely to avoid injuries or unnecessary suspensions. The best chances of the first half came from set pieces as both teams came close from free-kicks otherwise the game was just a midfield battle with the only notable shot from open play coming from Caniza.

A win for New Zealand would spell progress to the knockout rounds for the first time in their history and looked more positive in the second half. Elliot looked to put the Kiwis ahead just after half-time but almost had too much space to contemplate his shot which ended up going wide. The first corner of the match remarkably didn't arrive until the 62nd minute but Riveros was prevented from scoring by a good save from Paston. Paston did well to keep New Zealand level as Paraguay looked for that unlikely winner but he was definitely made to sweat in the final quarter as Paraguay went on the onslaught. But it still finished 0-0 giving Paraguay top spot and New Zealand a commendable unbeaten third place.

Weissly Done: Italy 2-3 Slovakia 24/6/10

Slovakia line-up: Mucha, Pekarik, Skrtel, Zabavnik, Strba (Kopunek, 87'), Vittek (Sestak, 92'), Stoch, Durica, Hamsik (c), Jendrisek (Petras, 94'), Kucka
Italy line-up: Marchetti, Criscito (Maggio, HT), Chiellini, Cannavaro (c), De Rossi, Pepe, Gattuso (Quagliarella, HT), Iaquinta, Di Natale, Zambrotta, Montolivo (Pirlo, 56')

Italy crash out after Vladimir Weiss' Slovakia beat them in a very entertaining match. This World Cup has already had a lot of shock results and even though Italy have played poor this campaign this result is another shock. Slovakia knew only a win would do whereas Italy could still progress with a draw in certain circumstances. Slovakia came out the better and were looking for that first goal straight from the whistle, Vittek and Hamsik were causing problems for the defence but couldn't find the net. Italy did give Slovakia the lead in the 25th minute when De Rossi played an awful pass which was intercepted by Jendrisek who played the ball to Slovakia's best player of the game Vittek and he put Slovakia 1-0 ahead. As with their previous games Italy lacked fire-power and despite some decent opportunities they couldn't gain that equaliser. As I said after the New Zealand game Gattuso would make a great change for the team offering Lippi the chance to play three attacking midfielders without any defensive worries, as predicted Gattuso played very well in midfield trying to stop Slovakia playing in the centre of the park. Slovakia ended the first half with more shots that needed good saves from deputising Marchetti to keep the score 1-0 at half-time.

Lippi changed the team at half-time introducing Maggio and Quagliarelli into the fray. But replacing Gattuso brought worries into the defensive side as the changes didn't bring any inspired creativity that a certain Camoranesi would have done. The Italian fans found something to be cheerful about as Pirlo came on as Lippi's third and final roll of the dice. Pirlo did bring some inspiration and Italy looked a little more dangerous though still woeful up front. Italy paid the price for their devastating lack of finishing when Vittek fired Slovakia 2-0 ahead with quarter of an hour left to play. What a quater of an hour that turned out to be as Italy now stepped up another gear and even found their shooting boots; Di Natale could have had a hat-trick if he was decent in front of goal but he did manage to pull Italy back into the game ten minutes from time. But Italy's hopes of progressing were well and truly fading when Kopunek scored just before stoppage time. The four minutes of stoppage were made to be entertaining when Quagliarelli fired Italy with a chance of nicking something. However there wasn't enough time left and Italy were made to rue their missed chances as they exit the tournament leaving their World Cup Champions title behind them.

Final Group Games: Group F

Paraguay are in the driving seat and it looks to be them plus one, but they still could go out with defeat to New Zealand. If Paraguay win then they're through along with the winner of Italy against Slovakia, if it's a draw then Italy progress. If New Zealand get a draw then Paraguay will still progress along with the winner of Italy and Slovakia, it it's a draw then it will go down on goals scored between Italy and New Zealand. If New Zealand beat Paraguay then they will go through with Italy if they win but it will go on goals difference between Slovakia and Paraguay if Slovakia win, Paraguay will go through if Italy and Slovakia draw.

I think Paraguay will beat New Zealand 2-1 to spell their progress and New Zealand's exit. Before the World Cup I predicted Italy to win 4-0 but their lack of fire-power diminishes that prediction, but Italy should win and just about progress.

Final Group Games: Group E

With Holland already through and Cameroon already out this group is nearly sorted. Japan and Denmark know they must win their win or bust face off but Japan will go through if it ends as a draw. I think Holland will cruise past Cameroon and win the group with a 100% record with a 3-0 win. I think Japan will progress with a 2-1 win over Denmark but it should be a close match.

Krassed Out: Australia 2-1 Serbia 23/6/10

Australia line-up: Schwarzer, Neill (c), Cahill, Culina, Beauchamp, Emerton, Wilkshere (Garcia, 82'), Kennedy, Valeri (Chipperfield, 66'), Carney, Bresciano (Holamn, 66')
Serbia line-up: Stojkovic, Vidic, Ivanovic, Stankovic (c), Lukovic, Jovanovic, Zigic (Pantelic, 67'), Obradovic, Krasic (Tosic, 62'), Ninkovic, Kuzmanovic (Lazovic, 77')

It was do or die time for both of these nations and despite winning, Australia's 4-0 defeat came back to haunt them as they crashed out on goal difference. Serbia just needed to draw based on the Ghana result but they just couldn't find that edge. Both teams looked sharp and looked for the offensive straight away, Milos Krasic looked his most dangerous down the wing for Serbia and Schwarzer had to be on hand to keep the young Serb out. Krasic then looked to turn his talent to providing and Kuzmanovic wasted a good opportunity as he fired wide. Schwarzer again had to prevent Ivanovic from scoring again provided by CSKA Moscow's Krasic. Krasic's direct opponent seemed the targeted area for Serbia and Ivanovic also pressed the Aussie full-back and playing in crosses of his own. Serbia thought they found the lead but Krasic was ruled out for offside, but it was very marginal and could have even been onside, this may have been the fatal blow for Serbia. Australia's best player was undoubtedly Tim Cahill and he had the best Australian chance of the half but again it came to nothing.

With Australia on the back foot in the first half, Pim Veerbek musn't have been happy with his players and Australia responded with a much better second half. They decided to adopt a shoot on site policy with long range shots making an impact on Stojkovic but he could just about keep them out. That was until Tim Cahill registered with a trademark headed goal followed by his trademark corner flag celebration. Serbia came and attacked with venom but were inevitably caught on the counter and found themselves 2-0 down; Holman found possession on half-way before firing another long-range effort, but this one found the corner of net and Australia were hoping for Germany to score again against Ghana or indeed for themselves to get two more against Serbia. However that wasn't to be and Serbia were soon the ones who were snapping at Ghana's heels, former Manchester United winger Zoran Tosic made immediate impact from the bench and smashed a shot which Schwarzer helplessly palmed into the path of another substitute, Pantelic who slotted Serbia back in contention. Pantelic had a wonderful chance to level it and put Serbia through at Ghana's expense but he managed to miscue his shot horribly and Serbia were going home with Australia.