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Group E – 2010 FIFA World Cup

Angela Asante, June 18 2010,
The Netherlands, Japan, Cameroon, and Denmark all showed good strength during their respective qualification campaigns. It will surely be difficult to separate these four sides at the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa.

The Netherlands' national football team, the Oranje.
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Group E – the favorites

Thinking about Group E, we will surely have to go for the Netherlands and Cameroon as the two favorites to progress into the next round, although in reality, Denmark could have also made the cut.

The Netherlands

They play good football – not only through their attacking sense but also through the fact that they commit the least technical mistakes most of times. The Oranje have been tipped as potential semi-finalists at the 2010 World Cup. On their road to South Africa, the Netherlands kept a 100% record. If they can continue on this run throughout this summer’s tournament, then they’ll definitely win it. Remember that aces Arjen Robben and Wesley Schneider are two players that can torture any defense.

 

Cameroon Cameroonian players united in celebration.

If the Indomitable Lions expose their hunger, they’ll surely create a lot of damage during the tournament. They hold the best record as an African nation, having reached the quarter-finals at the 1990 World Cup. But this year, the Lions have been wounded already by the Pharaohs of Egypt in the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations tournament in January as they were denied from reaching the semis.

Have they recovered from their injuries? Have they matured under the spirit of a Lion King? These are answers that will be responded this summer in South Africa.

Group E – the outsiders

Denmark players hurry in celebrationAs the Netherlands and Cameroon are included in Group E, LivesoccerTV.com picks up Denmark and Japan the group’s outsiders.

Denmark

Let’s not forget that Denmark are those who edged Sweden and Portugal to top their group during the 2010 World Cup qualifiers in Europe. They are not frequent World Cup participants but their record is not shameful. They featured thrice in the past and never failed to surpass the first round at each of those occasions. If they keep this record in South Africa, it will mean that they’d have ousted at least one of Group E’s favorites. Such an achievement will offer them even more recognition from football’s public.

JapanJapan's national team of football players lined up for a team picture.

At the 2006 World Cup in Germany, Japan couldn’t pick up a single victory. This time out, they dare to eye a semi-final finish ahead of the tournament. Denmark, Holland, Cameroon – which of these three teams will suffer from the Samurai Blue’s sword? It may be difficult to tell, but still interesting to know. They could impose themselves as Asia's fiercest representatives.

Group E - Players to watch

The Netherlands: Dirk Kuyt, Robin Van Persie, Wesley Sneijder, Arjen Robben

Cameroon: Samuel Eto’o, Alexandre Song, Mohamadou Idrissou

Denmark: Christian Poulsen, Daniel Jensen, Nicklas Bendtner

Japan: Shunsuke Nakamura

Group E - The crunch match

Netherlands vs Denmark:

Probably, the crunch match has to be Group E’s first one. It will reveal how ready Denmark are to surprise the rest at the 2010 World Cup. On the other hand, it will be a good test for the Dutch who aim to put their name on the FIFA World Cup trophy. This European battle should be interesting in the sense that the result will be crucial for the rest of the campaign and it will also send out a strong message to Japan and to Cameroon.

The 2010 FIFA World Cup golden trophy.Group E – A look back at some points

Netherlands vs Cameroon:

Over the past twelve years, the Netherlands and Cameroon met twice in friendly matches. The Europeans have the edge on aggregate (1-0). Going into the 2010 World Cup, how important will these previous statistics prove to be? Perhaps, it will be another tight affair.

Netherlands vs Denmark:

There’s been a lot between these two teams and the Oranje have the best of memories. They met four times in the European Championship with the Netherlands running away 3-0 victors over the Danes in the year 2000.

2001 Confederations Cup:

Those who watched that game will remember how the 2002 World Cup co-hosts Japan shocked the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon. Suzuki’s double was all that was needed for Japan to oust Cameroon from the first round.

Group E – the big question

The Netherlands, Cameroon, and Japan have all set high targets for themselves. Who will face the agony of heading home early?
 

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