Ismat van movic

Enrique Vera of Paraguay(R) vies for the ball during the Group F first round match against Italy at 2010 FIFA World Cup at Green Point stadium in Cape Town, South Africa, on June 14, 2010. The match ended with 1-1 tie. (Xinhua/Yang Lei)

BEIJING, June 15 (Xinhuanet) -- All eyes were on the defending World Cup champion on Monday. Italy took on upset-minded Paraguay in what promised to be a tough defensive battle in Group F.

Paraguay displayed its defensive might early in the match. The South Americans kept the Italians out of the penalty area, and there was no score after 39 minutes.

Then, Paraguay struck fast on offense. Italy contested Paraguayan Aureliano Torres' free kick. Alcaraz rose above his defenders for the header. Goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon could not keep the ball out of the net. Paraguay celebrates a 1-0 lead.

The South Americans tried to keep their defense solid, but Italy finally broke through. Daniele De Rossi stuck out a foot to steer the ball into a near- empty net. Paraguayan keeper Justo Villar ran out to meet an Italian corner but he was overwhelmed by the Azzuri crashing the goal. The Italians pushed hard for the winner in the last 10 minutes, but couldn't find the net again. Paraguay and Italy draw at 1-1.

Marcello Lippi, Italy Coach, said, "I'm very satisfied with our performance, I'm very satisfied with the approach to the World Cup The first time they got near the goal they scored, then there was a good reaction from us and we equalised. But we created little danger for the amount of possession we had."

Geraedo Martino, Paraguay Coach, said, "We were very organized and we defended well in the second half. For us the most valuable thing is that we played well against the current world champions. It's a good result for us against an opponent like this. To play against such a rival with such quality skills is a good sign for us and it gives us a lot of confidence."

(Source: CCTV.com)

Back home in Australia, fans were dressed in gold and green. They came to Sydney city center in groups with friends or with family braving the late autumn cold in front of a big screen in the city center's open space. The game kicked off around four Monday morning in Australia, which proves fans' passion.

"Disappointed, very disappointed," Many fans found it hard to accept the reality. But they said the Australian team's defeat did not completely blow their enthusiasm and confidence.

Some fans said, no matter what sort of scores, they fully support the soccoroos.

More importantly, they will show the warmth and embrace that the Australians have to the World Cup and will set a good image for the Australian bid to host the 2022 World Cup.

Andrew, a 20-year-old from Sydney, had booked the tickets to South Africa a year before, and has had a long wait to the opening of the World Cup. "We hope to contribute our efforts for the bid to host the World Cup, let the world hear the voice of Australia," Andrew said.

The President of the Australian Football Association Frank Lowy said Monday the enthusiasm of the fans will greatly enhance Australia's football in the world influence after visiting the Australian campsite.

Federal Sports Minister Kate Ellis shows her surprise that 43,000 World Cup tickets were sold in Australia. "Now, who could say that Australians lack enthusiasm in football!" she said.

In December 2010, the FIFA Executive Committee will decide the hosting cities for World Cup 2018 and 2022.

Japan's Tulio Tanaka (2nd, L) vies for the ball with Cameroon's Pierre Webo (1st, L) and Samuel Eto'o (3rd, L) during their Group E first round 2010 World Cup football match at Free State stadium in Bloemfontein, South Africa, on June 14, 2010. Japan won 1-0. (Xinhua/Li Ga)

BEIJING, June 15 (Xinhuanet) -- A tense match pitted Japan against Cameroon at Bloemfontein's Free State Stadium. Neither team could get untracked in another low-scoring game.

It took 39 minutes for the first point to get on the board.

Cameroon's defenders missed Daisuke Matsui's deep left-footed cross. Keisuke Honda was there for the score. Japan took the lead. A closer look shows Cameroon had the play covered, but failed to make contact. Honda won the race to the ball, had time to control it and knocked it into the net 1-0.

Cameroon's hopes to equalize fell on the shoulders of three-time African Footballer of the Year Samuel Eto'o. He picked the ball up and ran into the area, but Maxim Choupo-Moting blasted the shot over the bar.

85th minute and another Cameroon shot missed the target. This time it was a rocket from 25 yards out that crashed off the crossbar. Japan held on for the upset and went level with the Netherlands at the top of Group E.

Takeshi Okada, Japan Coach, said, "We thought Cameroon was better on technique and level-of-strength before the match. We knew the match would be tough. But my players did well until the final whistle."

Keisuke Honda, Japan Player, said, "This is a good start for us. We haven't won for a long time, and our wish came true today. We have two upcoming matches in Group E, and we cannot predict the results. But I am truly happy to enjoy a victory on my 24th birthday."

Paul Le Guen, Cameroon Coach, said, "I thought we would end with a good result after the first half of the match. But all my players were way too nervous and did not give their best. As their coach, I felt depressed."

(Source: CCTV.com)

RUSTENBURG, South Africa, June 15 (Xinhua) -- England received a good news on Tuesday as striker Wayne Rooney and side-back Ashley Cole resumed full training.

The duo missed Monday's training session, with Cole doing rehabilitation work on old injuries and Rooney recovering from an ankle knock he picked up in the opening World Cup draw against the United States.

However both of them were fit enough to return on Tuesday morning as England continued their preparations for Friday's Group C match against Algeria in Cape Town.

Center back Ledley King, whose groin injury is being monitored on a daily basis, was still absent from the training. His presence in the remainder of the tournament is in doubt after the Tottenham captain was forced out at half-time in the outing against the U.S. on Saturday.

Although the Football Association has so far refused to speculate on how long the defender will be sidelined, it seems unlikely that King will be involved in the other two group matches.

Netherland's Dirk Kuyt kicks to score during the 2010 World Cup Group E soccer match agasint Denmark at Soccer City stadium in Johannesburg June 14, 2010 (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)

BEIJING, June 15 (Xinhuanet) -- A freak own-goal from Denmark defender Daniel Agger helped send the Netherlands on its way to victory in a Group E contest at Soccer City stadium.

The crucial breakthrough happened when Denmark's Simon Poulsen tried to head a Robin van Persie cross clear.

But the ball hit Agger on the back and flew past Dane goalkeeper Thomas Sorenson.

The Dutch wrapped it up with five minutes left when Dirk Kuyt tipped-in a rebound from a shot that hit the post. The Netherlands wins 2-0.

(Source: CCTV.com)

Spain's Andres Iniesta (R) fights for the ball with Poland's Dariusz Dudka (L) and Jakub Blaszczykowski during a friendly soccer match in Murcia June 8, 2010. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)

MADRID, June 9 (Xinhua) -- Spain midfielder Andres Iniesta looks most likely to miss his side's opening World Cup match after Wednesday's test confirmed a muscle problem on his right hamstring.

Iniesta was forced out of his side's 6-0 win over Poland on Tuesday night before half time. The Barcelona player had been instrumental in setting up Spain's two early goals before complaining of a hamstring problem.

He was substituted by Pedro Rodriguez five minutes before half time and after the game coach Vicente del Bosque confirmed the substitution had been a precautionary measure, but that the player would have to go medical exam.

Those tests have ruled out another tear in a muscle that has given Iniesta problems over the last 12 months, but show he is suffering from an edema, which usually require three or four days complete rest followed by three or four days more rehabilitation before a player can return to action.

Given Iniesta's recent injury history, which has seen him suffer three injuries in his right hamstring in the last year, the talented playmaker is likely to be ruled out of Spain's first group match against Switzerland on June 16.