World Cup Preview – Group E: Holland’s Opponents Hoping for Dutch Courage
As we head towards the latter stages of our World Cup preview on The Football Blog, we focus on Group E, containing the Netherlands, Cameroon, Japan and Denmark.
The Netherlands are favourites to top the group and their squad oozes class throughout. Despite their traditionally gifted players, the Dutch have still not won the World Cup, a runner-up placing in the 1974 and 1978 competitions remaining their best performances.
In-fighting has damaged their hopes in the past and they’ll be hoping to display a united front to end decades of underachievement.
Cameroon will be looking to perform well on their home continent whilst Denmark topped a group that included Portugal and arch-rivals Sweden. Japan enjoyed a relatively easy passage to the Finals themselves and despite problems scoring goals; their ambitious manager Takeshi Okada has already targeted a semi-final spot.
DUTCH BREEZE THROUGH QUALIFICATION WITH PANACHE AND STYLE
Although the Netherlands didn’t have much in the form of stiff competition, they still eased through their qualifying group, winning all eight games, scoring seventeen goals and conceding just two along the way.
Manager Lamberus ‘Bert’ van Marwijk kept a settled side, using twenty-five players throughout qualifying with seven of those being utilised only once qualification was assured.
Goals came from all over the pitch with eleven players getting on the score sheet. AC Milan’s Klass-Jan Huntelaar and Liverpool’s Dirk Kuyt were joint top-scorers with three apiece.
ROBBEN & CO. HOPING NOT TO CHOKE
For all of the talent that the Netherlands have boasted at past tournaments, their European Championship success of 1988 remains their sole major honour. Momentum is starting to build behind the arguments that suggest the Dutch have a very strong chance of winning the World Cup trophy this time round.
The in-fighting that has marred previous camps, leading to the implosions similar to their last tournament outing in Euro 2008 where they flew through their group only to lose to Russia in the quarter-finals, are beginning to seem like a distant memory.
Preparations haven’t been entirely without incident though and words have been exchanged between Dirk Kuyt and Robin van Persie after the former was rumoured to be unhappy with some of the Arsenal striker’s comments to the manager regarding team selection.
Kuyt hit out and said: “Everyone is entitled to an opinion. That’s good. Dutch players like to think and talk about football. But, at the end of the day, the team manager decides.”
Van Marwijk has favoured a selection that benefits the unit as a whole rather than pandering to the needs of individual talents.
Veterans Edwin van der Sar and Ruud van Nistelrooy were shunned despite their ability to still perform on the world stage. This is perhaps an even more ominous indication of the strength in depth in the Dutch squad and an emerging togetherness.
BLEND OF YOUTH AND EXPERIENCE LOOKING TO TRIUMPH
The provisional 30-man party contained some notable surprises when announced earlier in May. Ajax’s 21-year-old defender Vurnon Anita, Twente midfielder Wout Brama and AZ Alkmaar winger Jeremain Lens have only one cap between them however they could soon be realising every footballer’s dream if chosen in the final squad.
One player who will be hoping to travel to South Africa is Liverpool’s Ryan Babel, who is desperate to forget the disappointing season he endured at the Anfield club.
Babel told the club website: “The World Cup is something special for every footballer. I was 18 when I was in the squad in 2006 and it was a great experience. I think we have a good squad. If everyone is fit then we have a great team that can give anyone a game.”
Amongst the high-profile names such as Arsenal’s Robin van Persie, Bayern Munich’s Arjen Robben , Inter Milan’s Wesley Sneijder and Real Madrid’s Rafel van der Vaart are a host of players plying their trade in Holland’s Eredivisie.
Veteran Feyenoord defender Giovanni van Bronckhorst is planning on retiring following the tournament and he could be lining up at the back alongside former Blackburn man, PSV Eindhoven’s Andre Ooijer.
Behind them and between the sticks is likely to be Ajax goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg who has big gloves to fill having replaced Edwin van der Sar and the pressure will be on him to perform well at the highest level.
In midfield and up-front, the Netherlands are spoiled for choice. Holding midfielders of the quality of Bayern Munich’s Mark van Bommel and Manchester City’s Nigel de Jong will provide a formidable shield in addition to possessing the creative capabilities to release their team-mates higher up the pitch.
With Sneijder, van der Vaart and Robben driving forward, they can rely on the hard work of Dirk Kuyt to create space for them as they look to supply a front-line that could include key man van Persie and Huntelaar.
QUESTIONS REMAIN OVER THE DEFENCE AS THE DUTCH PREPARE FOR GROUP E OPENER
It has been said by Dutch bloggers and columnists that one of van Marwijk’s biggest strengths (and weaknesses) is his loyalty to players.
A settled side helped the Dutch to the World Cup however there are doubts as to whether their defence of van Bronckhorst, the unpopular Ooijer, Ajax’s Joris Mathijsen and Everton’s Johnny Heitinga have the quality to stop the world’s best.
There’s no doubting the quality of their midfield and attack if they can remain consistent and cohesive at the Finals.
The Dutch will kick-off their campaign against a resolute Denmark side who can also boast an enviable defensive record in qualifying.
The Netherlands thrashed their second group opponents, Japan, 3-0 in a friendly in 2009. Although this is a competitive match, there could be a similar outcome if the Dutch can overwhelm their toothless opponents.
The highlight of the group looks to be the final game where the Netherlands will take on Cameroon in what could be a flair encounter.
The Netherlands face Mexico, recently beaten by England 3-1, on May 26 in Germany, before ending their preparations with two warm-up games against Ghana on June 1 and Hungary on June 5, both on home soil.
THE INDOMITABLE LIONS ARE AFRICA’S HIGHEST RANKING NATION AT THE TOURNAMENT
Cameroon are the highest ranking African team at the tournament and they’ll be hoping to challenge the Netherlands for top spot in group and progress further in the competition.
Their World Cup best of 1990, where a Roger Mila inspired side made it to the quarter-finals before defeat to England, will be looking to emulate their predecessors’ achievement.
Managed by former Lyon and Rangers boss, Frenchman Paul Le Guen, the team possess talent playing at the highest level in Inter Milan striker Samuel Eto’o, Arsenal’s Alexandre Song plus Tottenham Hotspur’s Benoit Assou-Ekotto and Sebastien Bassong who will play in the Champions League next season.
Largely supported by Eto’o’s nine goal haul in qualifying, Cameroon made it to the World Cup for the sixth time with Le Guen taking over from Otto Pfister who was sacked following defeat to Togo and a goalless draw with Morocco. Four wins followed, with a double over Gabon and victories over Togo and Morocco in the return games managed to secure top spot in their group.
CAMEROON’S QUALITY RUNS DEEP HOWEVER MANAGER STILL OPEN TO EXPERIMENTATION
Not unlike England manager Fabio Capello, Paul Le Guen was keen to experiment with his line-up in a recent 0-0 draw with Georgia. Similar to his counterpart, this has worried some followers who aren’t keen on excessive tinkering this close to the tournament.
Perhaps though, Le Guen has the luxury of assessing different players as his squad has the experience and quality that most other African teams lack.
Regular goalkeeper, Espanyol’s Carlos Idriss Kameni, has been a mainstay for the La Liga club however he was replaced by Valenciennes’ Guy Rolland N’dy Assembe.
Defensively, Cameroon can call upon the likes of Tottenham’s Assou-Ekoto, captain and former Liverpool player, Rigobert Song and Marseille’s impressive Stephane Mbia who started out as a midfielder and can still play just in front of the back line. He has allegedly attracted the attention of Arsenal having been courted by Everton in the past.
In midfield, Augsburg’s Marcel Ndjeng put in an impressive first-half shift against Georgia and he could be assisted by Lyon’s workhorse Jean II Makoun, Alexandre Song and the experienced former Chelsea and Real Madrid player, Geremi.
In attack, Samuel Eto’o could be one of the stars of the tournament and his strike partner could be Mallorca’s Pierre Achille Webo who was instrumental in securing unfashionable Osasuna a Champions League qualification a few years ago.
CAMEROON LOOKING TO HEROES OF THE PAST IN THEIR QUEST FOR GROUP GLORY
Unsurprisingly, Cameroon icon Roger Milla has supported African hopes of triumph in South Africa. Cameroon’s performance at Italia ’90 secured Africa a third World Cup place and in Milla’s opinion, the gulf in class that used to exist prominently in international football, has lessened significantly.
Milla spoke to reporters at The Daily Telegraph and said: “On the field, everyone is equal. It’s no longer the Brazil, Italy or France we saw 10 years ago. It’s 50-50. The English, French, Italian players play in the major championships in Europe alongside African players. It will be the teams with the best preparation who go furthest.”
Cameroon will begin their campaign with a vital encounter against an organised Japan side that may lack the quality and experience of their opponents.
This will be followed by a potentially defining tie against Denmark. Cameroon’s defence can be breached however they have the firepower to blow the Danes away.
The African side’s final group match against the Netherlands is a highlight on the fixture list and hopefully it will live up to its top billing. Cameroon will be hoping that qualification is all but assured by this stage.
Cameroon have a busy warm-up schedule with games against Slovakia on May 29, Portugal on June 1 and Serbia on June 5 planned.
JAPAN CONFIDENT OF PROVING THE DOUBTERS WRONG, POINT TO QUALIFICATION RECORD
On paper, Japan are the weakest side in Group E and a recent 2-0 defeat to South Korea did not provide much evidence to dispel these assertions.
They’ll be hoping their status as underdogs will work in their favour as they look to fulfil the ambitious promise of manager Takeshi Okada of achieving a place in the semi-finals.
A long qualifying campaign was only blotted by defeat to Asian Football Confederation newcomers Australia, who defeated them 2-1 in Melbourne in the final game.
Otherwise, it was an organised Japan side who waltzed through the remaining fixtures, with a double over Bahrain and their biggest winning margin coming courtesy of a 3-0 win over Qatar.
Following qualification, Japan also blitzed Togo 5-0 with 23-year-old Shinji Okazaki scoring a hat-trick to announce himself on the international stage.
LOFTY AMBITIONS CHECKED BY DEFEAT TO SOUTH KOREA AS COACH PUTS HIMSELF ON THE LINE
Japan’s decision to play rivals South Korea was a risky one given the morale-sapping consequences of the defeat. Coach Okada has put his position on the line following the 2-0 home reverse and met with the head of the Japanese Football Association (JFA) to seek advice.
“I asked the [JFA] president if I should continue as coach,” Okada said. “He said ‘Yes’ – so I’ll carry on. It’s a question of taking responsibility”, he said.
Okada’s target of a semi-final spot looks like it could be a major footballing faux-pas and the manager has admitted could instigate further criticism and cause embarrassment to a nation devoted to honour and saving face.
“It’s not that I have lost confidence. I just asked if he wanted me to stay and warned him he will take a lot of criticism if he sticks with me” he added.
Indeed, Japan Football Association president Motoaki Inukai was less than impressed with what he witnessed.
“I only saw brief glimpses of a desire not to be beaten,” he said “You can’t win games like that. It’s a real disappointment. That sort of a performance won’t get anyone excited about the World Cup.”
LARGELY DOMESTIC SQUAD SEEKING GROWTH IN FOREIGN CLIMES
Japan’s provisional World Cup squad is predominantly made up of those playing in the domestic J-League and they’ll be excited at the potential for growth and the opportunities for personal development that the World Cup offers.
Ex-Celtic man Shunsuke Nakamura has returned from his European travails and he will be the chief architect for Japan. At 31 years of age, this could be his chance to cement his position as the darling of Japanese football.
Of the few squad members playing abroad, Catania striker Takayuki Morimoto has been vocal in his desire to appear at the World Cup. A player with the experience of playing against top-class defences, he only managed 5 Serie A goals this season but will looking at the competition as a chance to help his country and put himself in the shop window.
“I still had various experiences during the season. I know a lot of people are watching the World Cup, so I’ll try to show my potential,” he said.
Morimoto might have to initially settle for a place on the bench with Grampus forward Keiji Tamada and Shimizu S-Pulse man Okazaki the preferred options.
In midfield, Shunsuke Nakamura will likely be playing alongside CSKA Moscow and successful Japanese export, Keisuke Honda.
At the back, an organised Japan rearguard is well-marshalled by Grampus’ Markus Tulio Tanaka with former Portsmouth ‘keeper, Yoshikatsu Kawaguchi the captain.
Japan face a difficult task to qualify from their group and improve upon their last 16 finish of 2002. They could be overpowered by their opponents. They’ll be desperate to build momentum in their remaining warm-up games before they face Cameroon in their Group E opener.
The Blue Samurai will be looking to take some positives from their friendlies against England on May 30 and the Ivory Coast on June 4.
DANES UNDER THE RADAR HEADING INTO THE FINALS DESPITE IMPRESSIVE QUALIFICATION
Many pundits have plumped for the Netherlands and Cameroon to emerge from Group E and this may suit Denmark. The Danes are not regarded as tournament hopefuls despite an impressive run to the Finals where they topped a qualifying group containing Portugal, Sweden and Hungary.
Manager Morten Olsen has been at the helm since 2000 and he knows his side may struggle to improve on their best ever World Cup finish where they made it to the quarter-finals in 1998.
They’ve been a solid team since the mid-eighties with their peak culminating in their triumph at Euro ’92 and a Confederations Cup win in 1995. They could certainly take advantage of the weaknesses within an inconsistent Cameroon team and an ineffective Japan side.
Highlights from their qualifying campaign included a 1-0 away win over arch-rivals Sweden and an incredible late comeback win in Portugal where they defeated their illustrious hosts 3-2.
DENMARK LOOK TO SURPRISE THEIR GROUP OPPONENTS
A recent FIFA profile of Denmark’s underrated attacking prowess has highlighted the dangers they pose.
Jon Dahl Tomasson, Soren Larsen, Jesper Gronkjaer, Dennis Rommedahl and Nicklas Bendtner are the players who come under the spotlight and it’s pointed out that they have no fewer than 300 caps between them.
Arsenal striker Nickclas Bendtner’s comments to Fifa.com exemplify the understated approach of the Danes.
“We have to accept that we won’t be the best team when we get to South Africa. We’ll give it our best shot though. Denmark have already created quite a few surprises over the years, so there’s no reason why we can’t do the same this time.”
Meanwhile, leading scorer in qualifying, Duisburg’s Soren Larsen, elaborated on the Danish style of play and the key to their recent success.
“Team spirit is our real forte. We have a very tight formation but we can break quickly by passing the ball out wide like the Dutch do, but obviously not to the same standard” he said.
Larsen is perhaps at the peak of his powers at the age of 28 however for Tomasson, Rommedahl and Gronkjaer, all approaching their mid-thirties; this will surely prove their last hurrah.
In keeping with other nations though, Morten Olsen has chosen to include a few youngsters too in an effort to balance out the squad.
Highly-rated Ajax youngster Christin Eriksen and Malaga full-back Patrick Mtiliga have both been named in the provisional 26-man squad.
SOLID TEAM COULD BE UNDONE BY INJURIES OR SUSPENSIONS
The Danes can call on a wealth of experience in all positions. Stoke City goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen is hoping to be fit enough to play in the World Cup and just in front of him could be the experienced Fiorentina defender, Per Kroldrup besides main man, Liverpool’s Daniel Agger.
Juventus midfielder Christian Poulsen, Wolfsburg’s Thomas Kahlenberg and Werder Bremen’s Daniel Jensen possess quality and experience and they’ll be aiming to supply Bendtner and Tomasson.
With the majority of their starting line-up touching thirty years old or above, the Danes will have one of the most experienced squads at the tournament. Their only disadvantage in that respect is that their team missed out on the last two major tournaments, World Cup 2006 and Euro 2008 so recent big match experience may be lacking.
Injuries or suspensions to key players could take their toll as Denmark will have to be at full strength if they are to advance from a difficult group.
Denmark line-up against Senegal on 27 May, Australia on 1 June and World Cup hosts South Africa on June 5.
EACH TIME LOOKING TO ACHIEVE A NEW PERSONAL BEST
The Netherlands have ambitions of winning the trophy, Cameroon would be ecstatic if they could get further than the quarter-finals, Japan would be amazed if they could get into the quarter-finals and a Danish side capable in the past of achieving the impossible would see anything better than the quarters as surpassing a tremendous milestone.
Each side in Group E will be looking to at least equal, if not better, their previous World Cup best performance and all four sides have compelling cases put forward as to why this could be possible.
The reality is, the Netherlands should prove too strong for their group opponents and it is again in the latter stages where they might fade. Cameroon have quality players throughout their team however patchy performances could see them punished. Japan have made some outlandish statements and they’ll just be hoping not to be embarrassed. Denmark meanwhile could emerge as the dark horses of the group.
By William Geldart
