Four-time champion Italy, defenders of World Cup, make debut against Paraguay

Italy’s defending champions make debut

The Azzurri have arrived.

Defending champion Italy begins its World Cup schedule Monday against Paraguay. The Italian roster has championship experience running throughout, led by defender Fabio Cannavaro and goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon.

Returning coach Marcello Lippi has nine players over 30, led by 36-year-old captain Cannavaro and midfielder Genaro Gattuso.

“I don’t feel old,” the 32-year-old Gattuso said. “If I’m old, then I don’t know what to think about my grandfather”

Lippi has been criticized by some as being too loyal to the players who captured Italy’s fourth World Cup in 2006. And the Italians have struggled in friendlies, most recently losing 2-1 to Mexico.

But Italy was not among the top contenders heading into the last World Cup in Germany, either. Nor does it always start well in tournaments.

“The debut is always particularly important,” defender Gianluca Zambrotta said of the game in Cape Town. “We want to finish first in the group and a good start would be ideal.”

Paraguay is no pushover. It finished one point behind Brazil in South American qualifying and yielded just 16 goals in 18 matches. In Roque Santa Cruz and Lucas Barrios, it has two dangerous forwards.

It has something extra to play for, too.

Paraguay President Fernando Lugo recently sent a letter to the team’s players asking them to dedicate the tournament to former striker Salvador Cabanas, who survived a gunshot wound to the head and is still recovering.

“Remember our beloved, stupendous example of gritty Paraguay spirit — Salvador Cabanas,” Lugo wrote. “He is a magnificent example of how the fighting spirit, a strong will and faith helps us respond in the face of adversity.”

Cameroon has faced turmoil from within its ranks, not the best atmosphere heading into a World Cup. The Indomitable Lions, who open with Japan at Bloemfontein, nearly lost star striker Samuel Eto’o in a spat with former Cameroon standout Roger Milla.

Milla questioned the Inter Milan forward’s performances for the national team. Eto’o, who is Cameroon’s leading international scorer with 42 goals, threatened to skip the tournament.

“He is my captain, a great player, one of the best players in the world and he wants to do well,” said coach Paul Le Guen, adding that Eto’o “is fit, he is ready to fight and be a good captain for us during this World Cup.”

Japan makes its fourth World Cup appearance and never has won a game outside its homeland. Midfielder Shunsuke Nakamura, a free kick specialist, leads Japan, which lost its last four friendlies, scoring just one goal in that stretch. Coach Takeshi Okada consistently tinkered with his lineup to find the best balance.

“We have to win. The first game is very important, like a final,” midfielder Junichi Inamoto said.

The Dutch probably don’t need such an approach as a heavy favorite in Group E ahead of Japan, Cameroon and Denmark, which the Netherlands faces in Johannesburg. Even without injured Arjen Robben (hamstring), the Dutch are potent. They have creative attackers Wesley Sneijder, Mark van Bommel, Rafael van der Vaart, Robin Van Persie and Dirk Kuyt.

And they’re not afraid to boast about it.

“We should reach the semifinals at least,” Van Persie said. “That’s a must for us, especially when you look at the 23 players and the clubs they play for.”

Still, the defense is suspect and longtime keeper Edwin van der Saar is gone, with untested Maarten Stekelenburg stepping in.

The Dutch and Danes won their qualifying groups with a combined one defeat in 18 games, with the Netherlands going unbeaten. Denmark striker Nicklas Bendtner (groin) is likely to be missing.

“They are a very good team, a very young team with players who play all around Europe at big teams,” said Denmark winger Jesper Gronkjaer. “They are surely one of the favorites to win the World Cup.

“It will be a hard task for us, even though we will be going in to win the game. If we can get something out of the game we will be happy.”