Today was the final day of action for teams in Groups E and F.
In the final matches in Group E, The Netherlands took on Cameroon and Denmark took on Japan.
The Dutch, having already qualified for the knockout round after their last win, beat winless Cameroon 2-1 thanks to a late goal from Klaas-Jan Huntelaar. Robin Van Persie also scored for the Oranje, while Cameroon striker and three time African player of the year Samuel Eto'o scored a second half penalty. It wasnt to be for the western African nation though, who crash out of the World Cup.
In the other game, Japan outplayed the Danes and won 3-1 with a couple of beautiful goals and a brilliant free kick. Keisuke Honda was the player of the match for the Blue Samurais, and he was a focal point of their offensive attack all game long. Honda opened the scoring before
Japan joins Holland in the knockout stages, with Japan taking second place in the group.
In the final matches in Group F, Italy took on Slovakia and Paraguay took on New Zealand.
The Italians were desparate for a win after two listless draws, but were firmly beaten and stunned by the up and coming Slovaks, who won 3-2. Slovakian striker Robert Vittek opened the scoring in the 25th minute, and doubled his tally and the lead with another goal in the 75th minute. Antonio Di Natale scored from close range to cut the margin in half, but even that was short lived when the substitute Kamil Kopunek scored in a lovely chip over the Italian keeper in the 89th minute. Fabio Quagliarella hit one back with a brilliant placed shot just two minutes later, but it was not enough, and Italy crashed out of the World Cup.
In the other match, Paraguay battled with New Zealand to a 0-0 draw, which created the interesting scenario that a team with no losses did not advance to the knockout stages. The All-Whites (New Zealand), as they are known back home, tied all three games they played, but had fewer points overall than Slovakia (One win, one draw, one loss) and Paraguay (Two wins, one draw).
Italy finished at the bottom of the group, with just two points from two draws.
