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Today's World Cup Games

by Frank Bertucci

Posted: June 29, 2010

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."