Thursday Kicks: World Cup holders Italy go home, Kiwi dream over & more

i-c275f81982896d86855e301454930e67-fabiocannavarodone.jpgItaly and Cannavaro are done: Italian captain Fabio Cannavaro, 36, has likely played the last World Cup game of his career (AP Photo).

Uninspired Italy were deservedly shown the World Cup door by Slovakia today while New Zealand snatched a third consecutive draw against Paraguay to remain undefeated, but also winless in the group. They will be missed, the Italians won’t be.

Later this morning at 11:30 a.m. it’s Denmark-Japan (ESPN) and Cameroon-Netherlands (ESPN2). The Dutch have already qualified for the next round.

In other World Cup news:

*Reflections on a historic U.S. World Cup victory Wednesday here.

*The rumors were true – the World Cup semifinals, third-place game and final will be shown in 3D at select movie theaters across the country, including the Regal Long Beach 26, for the first time ever.

To buy tickets, click here.

In other soccer news:

*The Galaxy host AC St. Louis at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at Home Depot Center and Chivas USA greet the visiting Austin Aztex at the same night and time at Cal State Fullerton’s Titan Stadium in the third round of the U.S. Open Cup.

St. Louis defeated the NSC Minnesota Stars 1-0 Wednesday night, while the Aztex beat the Arizona Sahuaros 3-1.

The Seattle Sounders or Portland Timbers await the winner of the Galaxy-St. Louis game in the fourth round, while its either the Houston Dynamo or Miami FC for the Chivas USA-Aztex victor.

Tickets to both games are on sale starting at $10.

*A week from today the PDL Ventura County Fusion host Cruz Azul in a 7 p.m. friendly at Ventura College, 4667 Telegraph Road.

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About Nick Green

South Bay-based Los Angeles News Group soccer columnist and blogger Nick Green writes at the 100 Percent Soccer blog at www.insidesocal.com/soccer and craft beer at the Beer Goggles blog at www.insidesocal.com/beer. Cheers!