FIFA 2010 World Cup: Group E’s qualification, strategy and predictions
Group E contains teams that have created astounding upsets in the past with the likings of Japan and Cameroon. Then it contains the mystifying teams that have reached the qualifying stages of the World Cup; Denmark and Holland (or Netherlands as it is known these days). While Holland has went on the final rounds of the World Cup it has failed to even appear in the final stages of the tournament at times. Denmark too has been following along the same lines. Here are some strategies and predictions analyzed by experts for the final matches.
The present situation in Group E
Netherlands is leading the Group with 6 points and a goal difference of above 3, followed by Japan which have gained 3 points but have a goal difference of nil. Denmark too has 3 points but is lagging behind with a negative 1 in goal difference and Cameroon have managed just a point along with a goal difference of negative 2.
The remaining matches in the Group E are between Cameroon vs. Netherlands and Denmark vs. Japan.
Netherlands- Oranje
The men who revolutionized the brilliant orange colour have won their first two games and therefore have been already entitled into the entrance of the last 16 in the second round of the World Cup. Now with the final match between them and Cameroon about to kick off, Bert Van Marwijk and his men will ensure their position on the top of Group E with the victory.
Nevertheless the performance by the Dutch cannot be compared to their superb class in the qualifying stages. Their fans deserve better and it is hoped that they will fulfil their desires by obliterating the already knocked out Cameroonian side. The match might also star Arjen Robben who was recovering from an injury he received earlier in the World Cup.
Japan- Nippon Daihyo- The Blue Samurais
Japan in general has been impressive; giving sturdy performances in its two opening games. They totally disabled the Cameroonian attack; while the Japanese scored themselves and scored a goal on the few chances they availed from the tough defence.
Takeshi Okada and his men may have been defeated in the second game against Netherlands but their defence against them was impregnable, being highly effective stopping their strikes from outside the box. They defended so well that they crammed and frustrated the Dutch attack.
With a performance like that against demark the chances of Japan entering into the next stage are high. However Denmark and Japan are levelled on table at the moment with only the goal difference separating them. Furthermore the Blue Samurais still have a chance of stealing the top place from Netherlands but in that case Cameroon would have to defeat the Dutch by 3 goals.
Denmark- Danish Dynamite
Denmark had no hopes of progressing to the next stages after having below average performance in the qualifying stages and showing a similar saga in the final stages. But they changed the whole story after showing an impressive game against Cameroon and defeating them in 2-1. Now it’s up to the final game against Japan if they want themselves still in the race for glory.
Though Morten Olsen and his men looked a bit lethargic in the match against Cameroon and had some problems with finishing. If they manage to cover those aspects they will have a pretty good chance of winning.
It is important for the Danes to win this match; a draw just won’t do the trick as they lag behind in goal difference. They still have a chance to qualify to the top the group but then they would have to create a difference of four goals between Netherlands and them and Netherlands would have to lose.
Cameroon- The Indomitable Lions
The Lions have become the first team to have disqualified from progressing to the next stage of the tournament when they were defeated by the by Denmark 2-1. They thoroughly disappointed their fans; as they had a good team and just minor mistakes lead out of the tournament.
Their finishing was a major issue and if they had just concentrated on that department they would have been the triumphant ones. They now have to prove their game against Netherlands and have to exit the World Cup with pride and show the world that they are ready for the next challenge.
Predictions
Japan will be erratic and unpredictable as ever, with a surprise goal from Morimoto, Honda or Okada which will lead them to the next round and Netherlands will dominate against Cameroonians.
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