[PREDICTIONS] Ghana, the only African team to win its opening game, looks to make it two in a row against Australia, while Netherlands and Japan face off in atop-of-the-standings clash. For a look at Saturday’s three games and Soccer America’s predictions … NETHERLANDS (3 pts., 2-0) vs. JAPAN (3 pts.1-0) June 19 in Durban Kickoff: […]
netherlands
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Rating the big seven
[MY VIEW] The seven seeds other than host South Africa were considered the favorites to win the World Cup. How did they do in their openers? They ranged fromGermany, magnificent in its 4-0 win over Australia, to Spain, upset by Switzerland, and Italy and England, both lackluster at best in opening ties. Here’s how we […]
Posted inSpecial Edition, Story
Japan win shakes it up
[GROUP E] Only three goals were scored in the two Group E games on Monday – the Netherlands beat Denmark with an own goal and a rebound off a post –yet Japan needed just one goal to post the upset of the tournament so far when it knocked off Cameroon. Here ‘s what we liked […]
Posted inSpecial Edition, Story
Oranje and Azzurri open without stars
[PREDICTIONS] The Netherlands and defending champion Italy, two pre-tournament favorites, will both be without key players for their first game. For more onMonday’s three games and Soccer America’s predictions … NETHERLANDS (0-0-0) vs. DENMARK (0-0-0) June 14 inJohannesburg (Soccer City) Kickoff: 7:30 a.m. ET. Television: ESPN/Univision. Referee: Stephane Lannoy (France). THE LOWDOWN: Both Cameroon and […]
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Nani is latest World Cup casualty
[PORTUGAL] Portugal’s Nani is the latest star to withdraw from the World Cup when he was ruled out of the tournamentwith a collarbone injury suffered in training last week. The 23-year-old Manchester United winger was expected to play a key role for Portugal in support of his former United teammate,Cristiano Ronaldo. “He is in pain,” […]
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Robben could return to Oranje
[NETHERLANDS] The hamstring injury Dutch star Arjen Robben suffered Saturday late in its 6-1 win over Hungary is not asbad as first thought, and he’ll be given time to recover and later join the Oranje in South Africa. Robben stayed behind to undergo medical examinations on Sunday in Rotterdam. After getting a report on his […]
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
The long road to the World Cup
[OFF THE POST] Dutch fans are known to be among the most diehard soccer fans in the world. A group of Oranje supporters are expected to arrive later this weekin South Africa for the World Cup after completing a journey by road that began April 3 in the Netherlands. The 44 Dutch fans have spent […]
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Dutch fear over Robben injury
[WORLD CUP COUNTDOWN] Arjen Robben, one of perhaps a half dozen players capable of carrying his team to the 2010 WorldCup championship, became the latest World Cup injury casualty, suffering a hamstring injury in the Netherlands’ 6-1 win over Hungary. “He felt a sharp pain — that can’t begood,” said Dutch coach Bert van Marwijk. […]
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World Cup Warmups
[DATEBOOK] Australia, which will face the USA Saturday in its final World Cup tuneup, meets Denmark Tuesday at Roodeport’s Ruimsig Stadium, site of Saturday’sgame. Two other matches involving World Cup finalists are also on tap for Tuesday. June 1 in Roodepoort Australia vs. DenmarkJune 1 in Sion Switzerland vs. Costa Rica (TV: ESPN3.com, 2:15 pm […]
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Oranje delight in Van Persie's comeback
[WORLD CUP COUNTDOWN] Who needs Wesley Sneijder, Arjen Robben and Mark van Bommel when you have Robin van Persie? Mexico had played England on Monday, starting most of its first-team players, so Tri coach Javier Aguirre gave many reserves a start against the Dutch, who dominated the first half.