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Best of day 9

First-half frustration for Nicolas Anelka.
Image: Anelka: First to departure lounge

We take a look at all the drama and key incidents, on and off the pitch, on day nine of the World Cup.

We take a look at all the drama and key incidents, on and off the pitch, on day nine of the World Cup

Every day during the World Cup, Sky Sports will take a detailed look at all the drama and key incidents in South Africa. Exit of the Day Cameroon's defeat to Denmark means the Indomitable Lions become the first team to have their World Cup campaign brought to a premature end, but even they were beaten to the departure lounge by Nicolas Anelka. The France striker has paid for his extraordinary outburst at coach Raymond Domenech during half-time of Thursday's defeat to Mexico, the details of which we cannot publish because, well, let's just say I'm sure Mama Anelka did not bring young Nicolas up to use such language. But to be fair to the Chelsea striker, he was only saying what the whole of France is thinking. Quote of the Day #1:: "We are a great side." - Jermain Defoe, following England's less-than-great 0-0 draw with Algeria. Nevermind 'great' Jermain, just concentrate on achieving 'competent' and that will represent a massive improvement. Quote of the Day #2: Nigeria have endured a turbulent World Cup campaign so far having lost to both Argentina in their opener, and then more alarmingly, Greece in their second game. The defeat to the Greeks seemed particularly hard to take, with midfielder Sani Kaita revealing he received death threats after his sending-off in the game. Obviously there is no place for this in or out of football, and at the end of the day there are things more important in life than the World Cup. Nonetheless, Kaita certainly took the news with a pinch of salt when he mused: "They were sent to my email but I'm not disturbed about that because as a Muslim, only God decides who lives and who dies. "Everything on this Earth is in God's hands, whether it is your life or whatever and unless God allows it, no-one has the power to kill me. "Only God knows what will happen tomorrow. He holds our destiny. That is what my religion teaches me." Interesting, to say the least! Howler of the Day: At first glance it looked as though Japan keeper goalkeeper Eiji Kawashima had been beaten by a wonder striker from Holland's Wesley Sneijder. But on closer inspection Kawashima should have done a lot better with the shot. Sneijder undoubtedly made a fine contact with the infamous Jabulani, but in truth it didn't do much and a mildly competent keeper (not Rob Green) would have caught it. Howler of the Day#2: Ghana keeper Richard Kingson made a real hash of gathering in a routine Australia free-kick. The ball bounced off his chest and allowed Brett Holman a tap in - absolutely shambolic. Battling Display of the Day: After taking a lambasting in their national press following the 4-0 hammering by Germany in their opener, Australia were under serious pressure to get something from Saturday's clash with Ghana. The dismissal of Kewell certainly made life tough for the Socceroos, but rather than cave in, the Aussies dug deep and ground out a determined 1-1 draw that not only (just about) keeps their hopes alive of reaching the last 16, but should ensure Pim Verbeek and his men avoid a second dose of verbal bashing. Fair Dinkum!

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