Group E

Time for my group E analysis.

Holland (FIFA rank 4, 9th appearance)

The Dutch are the best team to never have won the world cup. They always boast a great team with great, skillful players. This WC the Dutch got seeded under some controversy. Before this WC FIFA used performance in the last 3 WC's to determine the seeded teams (teams at the top of the group) and the Dutch would have been unseeded if this was used this year (missed the 02 world cup). However, FIFA decided to use the world rankings and in turn the Dutch got the seed and a pretty decent draw.

Holland finished top of their qualifying group with a 100% record scoring 17 and only conceeding 2. Led by star players all over the field like Wesley Sneijder, Rafael Van der Vaart and Mark Van Bommel in midfield and Arjen Robben, Eljero Elia, Dirk Kuyt, and Robin Van Persie up top. This team is deep and talented and can compete with anyone in the world. However, can they live up to expectations?

Denmark (36, 4)

Denmark comes in as a strong European team that can definitely play. They qualified first in their group ahead of Portugal and Sweden. They scored 16 and allowed only 5 in 10 games. They are a team that when they make the WC they tend to make the second round. However, this could be a tough year for them.

The Danes will be led by experienced players such as Dennis Rommedahl, Soren Larsen, Christian Poulsen and Jon Dahl Tomasson. However, they also have infused some younger talent such as Nicklas Bendtner and Simon Kjaer into the team to even things out.

Cameroon (19, 6)

Cameroon is the most decorated African nation. After being the first African team to make the quarter finals in 90, Cameroon has always had a lot of pressure put on it. However, this is a team that can deal with the pressure and live up to expectations. They won their group will relative ease.

The Indomitable Lions will be led by Samuel Eto'o up front, Alex Song and Jean Makoun in the midfield and ageless veteran Riobert Song leading the defense. The only problem is that Eto'o has threatened to quit the team after a bust up with former team members. If he does not play Cameroon have little up front. If he does play, this team could go very far.

Japan (45, 4)

Japan have qualified for the last 4 world cups and have become a dominant power in Asia. However, except for their second round run in 02 (in which they hosted) Japan have never made it out of the first round. They qualified behind Australia in their group in which the top 2 teams moved on. They lost only once but won only 4 games and drew 3.

Japan will be led by Keisuke Honda and Marcus Tulio Tanaka. The team had trouble finding the net which could definitely lead to problems in South Africa. However, they are a strong and technically sound team that can give anyone trouble.

Predictions:

Holland and Cameroon are the 2 heavy weights in the group and are the favored teams as well. However, Denmark comes in with a lot of support and a strong team. Cameroon and Holland play each other in the last game which means that the group could already be decided by this point, however, I think it will be close. I honestly see the Netherlands winning all 3 games and cruising to the round of 16 with 9 points. I see Cameroon beating Japan in the first game and then drawing or beating the Danes in the next game. I think Japan will get a draw against Denmark so that they can leave the WC with something. I think Cameroon will finish second in the group while the Danes finish second and the Japanese finish last in the group.

Holland 2-USA 1

Alright, so my first post on my actual opinions is about to begin

First off, I'm a huge fan of the Dutch style of play and their flare so this game was a win-win for me no matter what happened. The Dutch played great and were the only team on the field in the first half. They dominated possession and more than deserved the lead at half. Some subs and then lake of desire at the end is what lead to the US goal and the attacking possession the US had in the last 10 minutes. Overall, the Dutch more than deserved the win and were clearly the better team. Elia, who I had the pleasure of watching for the first time, was a constant nuisance to the Americans and should have scored. Great young player. And Sneijder was his brilliant self in the middle, seemingly everywhere on the pitch.

On to the Americans who, needless to say, were not at their best today. Howard was of course brilliant in goal again making a great save on Van der Vaart toward the end. The goals were not his fault. The defense was shaky at best most of the game though DeMerit was strong in his defensive duties even if his touch is always a little heavy. It will be nice to have Onyewu back. Bocanegra was his normal self in the back and ended up scoring the only American goal. Spector on the right side played decently though we was left wanting for speed a few times by Elia and Robben. And his cross at the end was disappointing to say the least. Bornstein, who somehow played 80+ minutes, was just plain terrible. He was caught out for pace multiple times, pulled down Sneijder for the penalty and had the second goal bounce off of his chest. I think it is safe to say he lost his spot in South Africa. Pearce and Goodson came on in the second half and played decently. Goodson even made a nice acrobatic attempt off of a corner to almost tie the match. The midfield was non existent most of the game. The addition of Mo Edu in the second half was a great help. He played very well and in my opinion should be at South Africa. Torres didn't do much but did have that one glimmer or brilliance with a left footed blast from 30 yards that was dipping just a little late. Bradley was good defensively but was lacking in all other aspects of the game. His touch and passing was off and he looked out of place quite a few times. Donovan was very poor and only started making a difference once he was given freedom to roam (hint hint Bob Bradley). Holden looked good while he was in, I hope he comes back quickly. Beasley looked his old-self at times and looked poor at others, but I think his play earned him a closer look. Bedoya was a revelation for me. He played well, linking up with his teammates to create offensive possession and chances. He did look a little lost at times but it is only his second cap. Up top, we were once again poor. Not sure why Findley was even on the field cuz he didn't do anything at all. Altidore worked hard as usual but he can't do everything on his own. He has one great shot and one great move with the back heal but he needs more quality balls to his feet and better support from his mid field.

The Americans were second best for 80 minutes of the game and then came on in the last 10. I'm not sure if we put this up to two different US sides and the US can build off the last 10 or if it was cuz the Dutch thought the game was over and stopped really trying. Only time will tell.