By ADAM SERRANO
Group E is one of the deepest groups in the World Cup as each nation will believe that they have the ability to advance to the knock out stages.
The Netherlands have always relied on their attacking flair and in 2010, the story remains the same as Wesley Sneijder and Robin Van Persie lead a fierce dutch attack. For all their attacking prowess, the nation will start the tournament without the talismanic Arjen Robben who is out of the opening match against Denmark with a hamstring pull. The main question mark for the Oranje will be the suspect goalkeeping of Maarten Stekelenburg who will need to step up for the Dutch to reach the peak.
Cameroon comes to the tournament as one of the African nations capable of making a long run. Arguably Africa's best striker, Samuel Eto'o leads the attack of the Indomitable Lions, but the forward will be heavily targeted as nations look to steal points away from Cameroon. While Eto'o is the star, youngsters like Alexandre Song will be responsible for creating scoring opportunities for the Indomitable Lions' explosive attack.
Denmark is led by Morten Olsen, the longest tenured manager at the World Cup having served for ten years as the Danes coach. The Danes may not have global superstars on their team, but are a disciplined unit led by a tenacious midfield with Juventus midfielder Christian Poulsen at the helm. Forward Nicklas Bendtner will be responsible for providing the attacking punch in the Danes workmanlike offense.
Japan enters the tournament with high expectations after manager Takeshi Okada stated that his goal was to reach the semi-finals. For the Blue Samurai to get out of one of the deepest groups, the nation's often questionable defense anchored by captain Yuji Nakazawa must be able to shut down the prominent offenses of their opponents. With a complete defensive performance, Japan's speedy wingers may be able to stretch defenses and steal a result.
Here is SBI's take on Group E:
WORLD CUP GROUP E
Top Players to Watch
Wesley Sneijder, Netherlands
Robin van Persie, Netherlands
Nicklas Bendtner, Denmark
Samuel Eto'o, Cameroon
Carlos Kameni, Cameroon
Yasuhito Endo, Japan
Young Players to Watch
Eljero Elia, Netherlands
Simon Kjaer, Denmark
Alexandre Song, Cameroon
Nicolas N'Koulou, Cameroon
Keisuke Honda, Japan
SBI's Predicted Order of Finish
1. Netherlands
2. Cameroon
3. Denmark
4. Japan
The Netherlands' loaded offense should make up for suspect goalkeeping and allow the Oranje to finish first in the face of difficult opposition. Playing on their home continent should pay dividends for Cameroon as the nation is one of Africa's strongest sides. The Danish and the Japanese will provide a threat, but will ultimately be unable to prevent the Indomitable Lions from advancing to the knock out stages.
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How do you see Group E panning out? Share your thoughts below.
While there may be some edge for the African teams, it is completely unrealistic that all 5 African teams will make it out of their groups. None of them will have an easy time of it. I had anticipated Cote d’Voire (sp?) and Ghana making it reasonably easily, but without Drogba and Essien this is quite a bit more difficult. Even though SA has the only REAL home-field advantage, I doubt they can make it past France and Uruguay who will battle for 2nd in Group A (Mexico 1st). I predict only 2 African teams make it out of group play. I would love to see more make it, but do not see it as very feasible.
japan will finish 5th.
trust me, they are actually that bad right now. they’ll find a way.
Drogba is out injured, isn’t he?
Saying Eto’o is arguably the best African striker is pure blasphemy. There is no argument that Drogba is the best striker. I didn’t see any caveats offered…
1)Netherlands
2)Cameroon
3)Japan
4)Denmark
Dutch will make it to the semis but be stopped by Brazil. Dunga’s defense will bend but the Orange back line will break. It will be a beautiful match though.
I like Cameroon to make it through, as well as Cote d”Ivoire and Nigeria. Ghana and South Africa… not so sure, but it would be wonderful to have so many of the developing nations got through and to see powerhouses like France Germany and Argentina sent home early to great wailing and gnashing of teeth. It will only make the game better throughout the world.
I’m also rooting for the Dutch to win because I’m sick of Brazil winning it and I’ll never stop hearing my Brazilian friends boasting. Plus the Dutch fans are among the most intense and supportive of any nation and seeing them party would be nice…
Ivory Coast and Ghana were the favs to go through but losing Drogba and Essien respectively hurt them too much…
Cameroon to SA is probably more like USA to Colombia or Peru…
The question is how many African nations get thru. South Africa is a given since the hosts always go thru (exceptions to the rule being…anyone?). At least 2 more, maybe 3 more get thru, right?
i’m also surprised.
Did any of them actually see any Cup of Nations games this year? Some of the most boring and predictable soccer i’ve ever seen.
i think Japan will surprise a lot of people.
Yea like people are saying Elijero Elia will become a major star, probably after this tournament.
I like this group. It will be a tough race for second place. I have Netherlands as first but i can’t make up my mind on who will take second I have Cameroon as second. But anything can happen in this group its just gonna come up to who comes up and play the day of and who doesn’t cause they are all capable of going through you just can’t afford to have a bad game in this group.
Netherlands 1st, three way tie for 2nd. Cameroon sneaks in on GD.
Denmark over Cameroon. Eto’o isn’t doesn’t have his head on right. I don’t get the homefield advantage by on African soil. It’s not like they’re in the same country, it’s a continent. If the world cup was in Mexico, would we have an advantage? Definately not. Canada, it’s still the same continent, US has the advantage right? Dutch are going to put at least 3 goals in on each team in this group.
Elia was impressive in the US-Neth. game, having never seen him play before.
Not sure what to make out of Denmark’s loss to Australia a week ago, but I’m agreeing with Netherlands first (they’ll disintegrate in the knockouts- count on it), and Cameroon second. Hup Holland! Oranje boven!
Actually, the Dutch Goalie (Stekelenburg) has been stepping up his game lately (according to the Dutch papers) And Robben not playing yet just means having Van der Vaart playing together with Sneijder, not bad eh? Then during the 2nd round Robben will show up again, rested.
I guess you are saving the best group (C) for last.
Has SBI been running extremely slow for anyone else the last couple of days? Its slow at home and at work for me. Site not used to the 2010 pre world cup traffic?
1. Dutch: Class of the group. Best chance outside Spain and Brazil to win it all. Keep an eye on Elia, who is my breakout star if Robben misses a couple group stage matches.
2. Denmark: Enough class to make the second round, but that is it.
3. Cameroon: Will push Denmark for second. Eto’o needs to carry the nation on his back to advance.
4. Japan: Might score the most goals out of all team teams. Unfortunately, most will be OWN goals.
The same as Ives here. But Rød grød med fløde!!!!
I think denmark will steal second from cameroon. They are a very good and fairly organized side. Organized teams always give african teams trouble.
I’m surprised by the optimism for the African teams. I have Cameroon third. And I’m with Jen Chang and have Denmark actually winning the group, especially if Robben is not available for the group opener. (Let the flaming begin).
1. Denmark 2. Netherlands 3. Cameroon 4. Japan
I use the word ‘indomitable’ every other day…