On the football side, Germany made short work of neophyte Curaçao (7-1), joined at the top of Group E by Ivory Coast who beat Ecuador (1-0). As for the Netherlands, they were held in check by an eye-catching Japan (2-2). The Iranian selection, whose participation in the World Cup was uncertain due to the war in the Middle East, arrived in Los Angeles on Monday and held its first press conference on the eve of facing New Zealand.