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.