Capello plays down the cost of Green’s howler Koreans in RUSTENBURG: Fabio Capello Steven Gerrard had got Eng- ‘‘I think we played a good ‘‘He made one mistake but in bright start (pictured) has played down land’s tournament off to a match, we created a lot of the second half he made also a the damage done to England’s dream start with a well- chances to score goals,’’ the good save. This is the problem PORT ELIZABETH: South World Cup campaign by the worked fourth minute strike in Italian said. ‘‘The team tried to of the goalkeeper. I will speak Korea registered the first win blunder from goalkeeper Rustenburg on Saturday. go forward all the time. with him and then we will at the 2010 World Cup, a Robert Green that handed the Capello declined to assure ‘‘I don’t think the result is decide what we will do.’’ richly deserved 2-0 victory United States a point in their Green that he would be in goal OK for us.’’ Green said he hoped to re- against Greece on Saturday to group C opener. for England’s second match, Capello said Green had tain the gloves for the Algeria give them a live chance of Green let in an innocuous against Algeria in Cape Town earned his place on the strength match and insisted he would achieving their ambition of a 25-yard shot from Clint on Friday, but he insisted of his displays since displacing not let such a high-profile error last 16 berth. Dempsey to gift the Americans there were positive aspects to the more experienced David shatter his confidence. South Korea, semi-finalists a 1-1 draw after new captain his side’s display. James as his No. 1. ‘‘I’m 30. I’m a man,’’ he said. when they co-hosted the competition in 2002, were too quick and too smart for Otto Rehhagel’s Euro 2004 champions, who were sent packing by goals from Lee Jung Soo and captain and Manchester United Argy not midfielder Park Ji Sung. The Manchester United star reflected: ‘‘This was my third World Cup goal and it makes me very honoured.’’ Coach Huh Jung-Moo Messi-ng added: ‘‘If we had been a little calmer we could have per- haps scored more goals.’’ PUB: Dutch out NT NEWS around By ROBERT SMITH in Johannesburg to go far LIONEL Messi conjured up a spellbinding opening to the World Cup highlighting Argentina’s 1-0 win JOHANNESBURG: The Neth- over Nigeria in their Group B match at Ellis erlands open their World Cup Park Stadium. campaign against Denmark tonight determined to brush The world’s best player was in irresistible form as the off their tag of group phase DATE: two-time world champions dominated Nigeria, but only had Gabriel Heinze’s sixth-minute goal to show for their heroes, knock-out stage zeros. superiority in an exhilarating spectacle before 55,686 The Oranje have never won noisy fans on Saturday. the World Cup, but reached Messi taunted the Africans with his mesmerising skill the finals of both the 1974 and 14-JUN-2010 and virtuosity and was denied his first goal at South 1978 tournaments playing Africa 2010 only by the outstanding saves of Nigerian their brand of flowing football. goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama. Dutch coach Bert van With coach Diego Maradona prowling his sideline Marwijk has an embarrass- technical area for the whole match, Argentina could not ment of riches in his squad find the second killer goal as the uninhibited Nigerians for the Group E clash at came close several times in the second half to grabbing Soccer City with the likes of an equaliser. Arsenal’s Robin van Persie, It was a rasping Messi volley tipped over the bar by PAGE: Real Madrid’s Rafael van der Enyeama that indirectly led to the only goal in the Vaart and Inter Milan’s opening minutes. Wesley Sneijder. Sebastian Veron’s corner picked up unmarked Heinze ‘‘Normally we play good hurtling in late and the Marseille defender headed football, but don’t get very 44 powerfully past Enyeama to send the large contingent of far,’’ said midfielder Mark Argentine fans wild. Argentina had numerous scoring chances, none more van Bommel. ‘‘This time I COLOR: so than Messi’s charge on goal nine minutes from time. think we can play good foot- Yet again he was thwarted by Enyeama’s blocking feet ball and be successful.’’ to keep the Nigerians in the game, frustrating a smart- suited Maradona on the touchline. ‘‘When you don’t kill things off in front of goal you can pay a heavy price. They almost got a draw — we missed Cameroon C loads of chances,’’ Maradona said, adding that ‘‘their keeper turned in an exceptional showing’’. M He added: ‘‘Players such as Messi and Higuain dangerman Y knocked in around 60 goals last season between them yet today it was almost as if they couldn’t set their sights BLOEMFONTEIN: Cameroon K on goal. But the win means we can be calm — we are on will unleash Samuel Eto’o the right track.’’ against a Japanese side strug- On another occasion in the 65th minute Carlos Tevez gling in front of goal as the triggered a counter-attack from deep inside his own half ‘‘Indomitable Lions’’ launch and set up Messi only for the Barcelona superstar to their World Cup bid tonight. shoot agonisingly past the post with Enyeama beaten. No African team boasts Left-back Taye Taiwo came closest for Nigeria in the more experience than Paul Le second half with his thumping volley just fizzing past the Guen’s Cameroon, whose ap- far post on 71 minutes. pearance in South Africa is a But the Nigerians made the openings only to spoil record sixth at a World Cup their chances with errant finishing with Hoffenheim’s for an African nation and who left winger Chinedu Ogbuke Obasi going close on a will revel in ‘‘home’’ support. couple of occasions in the first half. ‘‘I am very disappointed,’’ Nigeria’s Swedish coach Cameroon, the first African Lars Lagerback said. side to reach the World Cup ‘‘I am very proud of the players against some of the quarter-finals in 1990, hope best players in the world, I’m really impressed with the Eto’o — three-time African players, but I’m very disappointed about the result. Footballer of the Year — can ‘‘We were asleep at one of the corners and that was inspire them to win. enough for their goal.’’ The Inter Milan pro has had Argentina’s Jonas Gutierrez and Nigeria’s Lukman a stellar two seasons, winning Haruna picked up yellow cards. MESMERISING: Lionel Messi starred for Argentina but still failed to find the back of the net the ‘‘Treble’’ of European Cup, league and national cup for Barcelona in 2009 and Inter this year under now-departed Defiant Italians vow to prove critics wrong in opener coach Jose Mourinho. CAPE TOWN: Reigning champions far from ideal with a defeat to Mexico ‘‘We’re used to matches at a high Fiorentina midfielder Riccardo Italy take the first step towards and a draw with the Swiss, which has level, we have the right mix with our Montolivo could get his chance. TV GUIDE defending their title tomorrow morn- seen them come under pressure from young players.’’ Veteran fullback Gianluca ing (NT time) with lingering concerns the Italian media, who expect better. Of the group from 2006, few remain Zambrotta insists that barbs only help WORLD CUP ON SBS about their form and a tough op- The ice-cool Lippi, who delivered a but among them are players certain bind the team together. ‘‘We’ve always ponent in Paraguay. fourth world championship to the to be starting, such as Gianluigi performed under criticism, it’s not a Group E: Netherlands v Den- Marcello Lippi’s ageing team kick- country in 2006, is unconcerned about Buffon, Fabio Cannavaro, and problem,’’ said the AC Milan star. mark (9pm). Japan v off a Group F they should top, with worries that the squad is too old. Daniele De Rossi. But Italy face a tough outing against Cameroon (11.30pm). Group Slovakia and minnows New Zealand ‘‘We’ve got old players but age But playmaker Andrea Pirlo is Paraguay, who are in great shape F: Italy v Paraguay their other hurdles. doesn’t mean broken down, it means injured and expected to miss the having beaten Brazil and Argentina (4am, Tuesday). But their preparations have been experience, charisma,’’ he said. opening two matches, meaning in qualifying. 44 — Northern Territory News, Monday, June 14, 2010 www.ntnews.com.au.