The Champions defied and Oranje start loose.

Day 4 at the  FIFA World Cup 2010 saw the Netherlands open their cup campaign against the Danes. Following Germany's stupendous performance the day before, expectations were high from the Oranje to demolish the Daring Danish contingency.

However, the match began in a rather, boring way. The goalies had absolutely nothing to do in the first forty-five and Wesley Sneijder failed to convert two free kicks from near about the 30-yard range. Niklas Bendtner lined up alongside Dennis Rommedahl but he also failed to live up to his claim earlier this year to be the highest goal scorer at the World Cup. Optimism anyone?

The Netherlands, as usual, had a powerful line up, even though they missed star player Arjen Robben, who sat out due to his hamstring injury he picked up during the match against Hungary where he smashed 2 goals en route to Netherlands' 6-1 demolition.

van Bronckhorst led his team in his 100th cap for the Oranje. van Bommen played the role of the defensive midfielder with excellent vision and partnership with Nigel De Jong who was terrific too. Right Back van der Wiel was the surprise package as the 22 year old's surprise runs into the Danish defense with the ball created ample space for Dirk Kuyt and van Persie on either flanks to feed van der Vaart, who was in the central offensive role.

The first goal came in the 46th minute when van Persie's intended cross was met my Poulsen's wrongly timed header and he smashed the ball into Daniel Agger who unintentionally flicked it into his own net leaving Sorensen with pretty much nothing to do. Dirk Kuyt tapped an easy sitter later to give the Netherlands a comfortable 2-0 victory. Ellia came on as a substitute in the second half and impressed with sublime skills in the left flank terrorizing the Danish back line.

Japan faced Cameroon in the second match of the day and in a way caused a major upset to the African nation. Cameroon stunned the world in the 1990 world cup finals under Roger Milla but had failed to do much in the finals after that. However, this year, they had come to the Rainbow nation with serious hopes of reaching the last eight at least and their hopes went severely down, courtesy, a brave show by the Asians who clinched a 1-0 scrape through by virtue of Keisuke Honda's goal. 

The last match of the day saw defending champions Italy take on a Paraguayan side which looked young, brave and very attacking. Contrary to their previous world cup performances, Paraguay showed resilience and took the lead in the 39th minute when Antolin Alcaraz headed in a inch perfect free kick by A. Torres leaving Gianluigi Buffon stunned and the Azurri's confidence terribly dented.

However, the Italians came back in the second half after Buffon retired hurt during half time to let Federico Marchetti get his 6th cap for the Squadra Azzuris.

The Paraguayan goalie's mistake allowed Danielle De Rossi to tap in a floated ball from the corner to equalize the score in the second half. Marcello Lippi brought in Camoranesi in an effort to stretch the game and find space through the middle, but a strong Paraguayan defense with virtually 3 central defenders kept Italy out and held them to a 1-1 draw.

New Zealand and Slovakia face each other in the second match of Group F (First Round) and both will look to take advantage of the Italy-Paraguay result and go on top of the group with a win. The Oceania champions looked anything but satisfying in the last year's Confederations Cup going down to Spain 5-0. But, with Slovakia, they will fancy their chances.

Apart from that, commencing today is the Group of Death with Brazil and North Korea in action after Portugal and Ivory Coast fight it out in the second match of the day.

Portugal's coach calls Cristiano Ronaldo, Superman. And today will be Ronaldo's ultimate test. If Portugal has to go through, they have to defeat Ivory Coast and vice versa. Ivory Coast, or Cote d'Ivoire as they prefer it, boasts of talents like Kolo Toure, Yaya Toure, Didier Drogba and Solomon Kalou. Drogba maybe out of the first match due to injury, but Cote d'Ivoire is still a good unit.

The last match of the day sees eternal favorites, Brazil take on North Korea. North Korea, with tremendous confidence have claimed to be able enough to defeat Brazil. Making their second appearance at the world stage after 1966 (where they actually defeated favorites Italy !! ), that would be a difficult task given Brazil is no ordinary team at all. 

With the likes of Luis Fabiano, Ricardo Kaka, Felipe Melo and a water tight back four with Julio Cesar in the Goalie's position, Brazil are, well, VERY STRONG.

Yet again, its a promising day at the world cup with many favorites in action. Lets hope the day lives up to its expectations!