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Faded Azzurri

AtiqueAnam
Contrasting with the masterclass performance from the young Germans the previous night, The Oranjes looked bleak in their 2-0 win over the Danes while the Azzurri sparkle has faded to such an extent since lifting the coveted crown four years ago that a 1-1 draw with Paraguay was hardlyany surprise.
On a day of average outings, Japan's historic 1-0 win over the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon was the biggest talking point and after South Korea's impressive 2-0 victory over Greece couple of days ago, this result only confirms that Asian teams are no longer there to make up the numbers. Their East Asian neighbours North Korea can take heart from these performances ahead of their opener
The 4-3-3 formation seems ill-fitted with this Italian crop, and the former Juventus tactician realised it as he reverted to the safer option of 4-4-2 in the second half which gave the team the balance and increased the verve in attack
Daniele de Rossi provided the poise in midfield while despite the classy stuff from Riccardo Montolivo, it was evident that Andrea Pirlo's boots are still too big for him to fill.
To their discredit, the South Americans did not pose any real threat to the Azzurri defence or tested the young Cagliari 'keeper Federico Marchetti as the two teams settled for a draw.
In the day's first match, the Netherlands eked out a rather unconvincing 2-0 win over Denmark. It was very unlike the free-flowing, attacking football that we associate with the Dutch. This was a more defensive-minded
against five-times world champions Brazil.
Talking about champions, four-time winners and current champions Italy took the field for the first time in the tournament against Paraguay, arguably the toughest opponent in the easiest of groups. So, a 1-1 result is something Marcello Lippi would not be totally unhappy with, but the way his team performed once more raised few questions about the potency of his side. Let alone potency, the Azzurri looked short of imagination in midfield, and frailties at the back reared its head once more. Leaving their more creative players at home, and trying to blend the weary old guard with the inexperienced young blood, a complacent Lippi is running the risk of ignominy for the world champions and himself.
The goal that Italy conceded poses a big question mark over Fabio Cannavaro's capability to hold fortress at the age of 36 and it was only a goalkeeper gaffe that saved the blushes for the world champions.
Netherlands playing counterattacking game and to their credit they passed the first hurdle without any hiccoughs.
But there should be no complaints for that as their captain Giovanni van Bronckhorst put it bluntly on the previous day that they wanted to win even if it meant sacrificing beautiful football.
The first half was a dreary affair with the Danes soaking up whatever pressure was built up by the Dutch and it looked like it would be more of the same in the second half until a unfortunate own goal from Liverpool defender Daniel Agger paved the way for the Dutch.
The second goal from Dirk Kuyt at the death ensured the favourites got off to a decent start to their campaign of winning an illusive World Cup.
Unattractive as they were all the three matches, there was one good thing about them as none of the players got sent off, especially after the flurry of reds that flowed the previous day.