World Cup Today

JOHANNESBURG (AP) - A look at Day 3 Monday at the 2010 World Cup (all times EDT): RESULTS

Netherlands 2, Denmark 0, Group E

Japan 1, Cameroon 0, Group E

Italy 1, Paraguay 1, Group F

--- HIGHLIGHTS

The Netherlands, which didn't lose a game in qualifying, kept its undefeated run going despite struggling on offense with a 2-0 victory over Denmark. Dirk Kuyt clinched the Group E win after an own goal made it 1-0.

Defending champion Italy salvaged a 1-1 tie with Paraguay on a second-half goal by Daniele De Rossi, but also lost star goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon for the second half with an apparent nerve problem.

---

SHUTOUTS

Through 11 games, there have been eight shutouts, with the only matches where both teams scored coming in 1-1 draws between the United States and England, South Africa and Mexico, and Italy Paraguay. Through Monday, no winning team had allowed a goal.

--- STARS

Paraguay defender Antolin Alcaraz scored on a header in the 39th minute of the Group F match. He outjumped several defenders to give the South Americans the lead, but Italy tied it in the second half 1-1.

Keisuke Honda of Japan scored the only goal in a 1-0 upset of Cameroon. After a sloppy first 30 minutes, Honda broke the tie in the 39th when Daisuke Matsui's curling cross from the right drifted over the heads of Cameroon defenders Nicolas Nkoulou and Stephane Mbia. The ball fell to Honda at the back post and the striker neatly controlled it and sent it past goalkeeper Hamidou Souleymanou.

--- HISTORY

Japan won a World Cup game outside its borders for the first time. In their fourth tournament appearance, the Japanese upset Cameroon 1-0 in Group E. Previously, the only wins were when the Japanese co-hosted the 2002 World Cup, when they beat Russia and Tunisia to advance to the second round.

---

GOAL OF THE DAY

Not a pretty one, but they count all the same. The Netherlands took the lead when Denmark defender Simon Poulsen headed a ball off the back of teammate Daniel Agger and into the net. Poulsen had been trying to clear a cross from Robin van Persie. The Dutch won 2-0.

--- LOOKAHEAD

Whenever Brazil sambas into a tournament, heads turn, even if it no longer truly plays the beautiful game of Pele and other great Brazilian teams. The highly anticipated debut of the five-time World Cup champions comes Tuesday (2:30 p.m. in Johannesburg) in Group G when they play North Korea. Ranked No. 1 by FIFA, the Brazilians should have little trouble with North Korea, which is ranked 105th, lowest in the tournament. Coach Dunga has turned Brazil into a more defense-minded team, a style that helped it win the 1994 title when he was captain. Defenders Lucio and Maicon are among the world's best, as is goalkeeper Julio Cesar, who missed some training because of a back injury. That emphasis on defense doesn't mean playmaker Kaka and attackers Luis Fabiano and Robinho will be shackled.

Portugal faces Ivory Coast (10 a.m. at Port Elizabeth) in Group G. Portugal finished fourth at the last World Cup and,in striker Cristiano Ronaldo, has the 2008 world player of the year. But he hasn't scored for Portugal for 16 months. Ivory Coast likely will be missing its star and leader, Didier Drogba, who broke his right arm in a friendly against Japan.

Slovakia takes on New Zealand in Group F (7:30 a.m. at Rustenberg) in its first international tournament as an independent nation since the dissolution of Czechoslovakia in 1993. It won its qualifying group over the Czech Republic. New Zealand is returning to the World Cup for the first time since its debut in 1982.

--- QUOTABLE

"What I know about Brazil is that it has some of the world's most famous players. Our players are very skilled. They don't lag behind any player in the world." - North Korea coach Kim Jong Hun, whose team opens its World Cup schedule against the top-ranked Brazilians.

"It practically hit me in the face.I was just thinking, this can't be happening." - Demark's Simon Poulsen, who headed the ball into his own net in a 2-0 loss to the Netherlands.