Today's World Cup Games
Japan vs. Paraguay What: Second-round game When: Today, 10 a.m. Where: Loftus Versfeld Stadium, Pretoria TV: ESPN For kicks: Japan was impressive in eliminating Denmark, 3-1, in last game of Group E, also beat Cameroon . . . Like South Korea, Japan has advanced out of World Cup first round for first time other than 2002, when the countries were joint hosts . . . Midf
Japan vs. Paraguay
What: Second-round game
When: Today, 10 a.m.
Where: Loftus Versfeld Stadium, Pretoria
TV: ESPN
For kicks: Japan was impressive in eliminating Denmark, 3-1, in last game of Group E, also beat Cameroon . . . Like South Korea, Japan has advanced out of World Cup first round for first time other than 2002, when the countries were joint hosts . . . Midfielder Keisuke Honda (CSKA Moscow) would make first-round All-Star team . . . Paraguay won GroupF, where Italy finished last, without one player standing out, scoring only three goals in three games . . . Roque Santa Cruz (Manchester City), always seems to be recovering from injury, Oscar Cardozo (Benfica) may be best scoring hope . . . Winner has date with Portugal-Spain winner in quarterfinal on Saturday.
Portugal vs. Spain
What: Second-round game
When: Today, 2:30 p.m.
Where: Green Point Stadium, Cape Town
TV: ESPN
For kicks: Now this is SERIOUS . . . Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo, 2008 world player of year, vs. five of his teammates on Real Madrid and assorted other La Liga rivals . . . Portugese got through first-round with 7-0 blowout of North Korea (with six scorers) and two dull 0-0 draws . . . Deco (Chelsea) is back from injury . . . Spain's David Villa (Barcelona) has scored three of team's four goals, with one of the tournament's best being his softball, 40-yard, one-bouncer into Chilean net . . . After an upset by Switzerland, Spain has improved, but now must step way up if it intends to finally fulfill its eternal "promise."