World Cup Preview: Group E
Monday, June 7, 2010 at 10:16AM 
Dutch Look To Overcome
Past Cup Disappointments
By MIKE DICK
One Great Season
NETHERLANDS
The Netherlands are ranked No. 4 in the world in the FIFA rankings, and are making their ninth appearance in the World Cup finals. The Dutch are the heavyweights of the group, having cruised through the qualifying phase without dropping a point. They've also bagged a ton of goals in the lead-up friendlies.
In Wesley Sneijder and Arjen Robben, they have two players who have been in phenomenal form for their club teams Inter Milan and Bayern Munich. Each played a key role in those teams' winning their respective leagues and cups and making it to the Champions League Final. But Robben got cute in their latest friendly, and has likely put himself out of the group phase with a tragi-comic injury.
BIO: About Mike Dick
Even so, the Dutch remain loaded. The names include van Persie, Huntelaar, van Bronckhorst, van Bommel, Kuyt, Babel, de Jong and van der Vaart. But, their Achilles heel could very well be at the back. The corps of defenders is not outstanding, and there is little doubt that veteran Edwin van der Saar, of Manchester United, would have been preferred between the sticks.
With more disappointments than successes in the big tournaments, fans of the Oranje are hoping this current squad can maintain their cohesiveness and team spirit and make a serious run at the trophy.
Player To Watch: Sneijder
DENMARK
Denmark is making its fourth appearance in a World Cup finals, and is 36th in the FIFA rankings. The Danes could be the danger team of this group, but injuries are worrisome. They too had an impressive qualification, topping a group that included Portugal and Sweden. Under the guidance of the wily manager and former star Morten Olsen, Denmark is always very well organized and a tough nut to crack.
MORE: Meet The 2010 OGS World Cup Writers
One of the injured is Arsenal striker Nicklas Bendtner, who may well be the key man. He's capable of brilliant goals or jaw-dropping misses. If he is healthy and has his scoring boots on, it will spell trouble for the Danes' opponents.
Liverpool's Daniel Agger is one of the anchors of the defense. Two others, rising Palermo star Simon Kjaer and Stoke City goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen, both are among the injury questions ... as is Feyenoord's Jon Dahl Tomasson.
Potential X factor Christian Poulsen of Juventus can score goals from midfield.
Player To Watch: Bendtner
CAMEROON
Cameroon are making their sixth appearance in the World Cup finals, the most of any African nation. They are 19th in the FIFA rankings.
The Indomitable Lions have a lot to prove in South Africa. French coach Paul Le Guen helped steer their qualification campaign in the right direction after a bad start, but the team's inconsistent play is a worry. African Footballer of the Year Samuel "it's all about me" Eto'o, of Inter Milan, had a solid season for the newly crowned Champions League winners, but hardly has the same support group around him with his national team. Who knows where his head is as the tournament approaches. He's threatened to not go to South Africa, after a war of words with Lions legend Roger Milla. That, coupled with a lackluster-at-best effort in a recent friendly, are hardly indications that Eto'o is ready to lead his nation into battle.
There is undoubted talent in the side. Striker Achille Webo of Mallorca has found the net in the friendlies, but that hasn't resulted in wins. Perhaps this squad can draw something from the home-continent advantage, and it surely needs a boost from somewhere if it is to progress to the knockout phase.
Player To Watch: Eto'o
JAPAN
Ranked 45th in the FIFA World Rankings, Japan is making its fourth World Cup finals appearance.
Japanese manager Takeshi Okada clearly has been hitting the sake, making the audacious statement that his side are aiming for a spot in the semi-finals. The Japanese do possess many technically sound footballers, but have lacked punch up front.
In their recent friendlies leading up to the tournament, they've actually had no problem scoring ... with an unfortunate string of own goals. Finding someone who can put it in the opposition's net obviously will be key, and Shinji Okazaki, of Shimizu S-Pulse, may well the be the man expected to deliver.
There is a wealth of talent in the midfield, with Keisuke Honda of CSKA Moscow, Yasuhito Endo of Gamba Osaka and Daisuke Matsui of Grenoble all solid. Former Celtic man Shunsuke Nakamura has been declared fit, and has scored some memorable free kicks in his careeer. He will be a definite threat at set pieces. Junichi Inamoto also adds experience to the side.
Player To Watch: Honda
DICK'S PICKS
1. Denmark
2. Netherlands
3. Cameroon
4. Japan
Reader Comments (1)
Great write-up, Mike. Keep 'em comin' OGS.