Phil Lythell
Sport News 24/7Group E goes Dutch but banana skins aplenty
By Phil Lythell, on 9th December 2009, 14:23 UTC
Group E in next summer's FIFA World Cup is very well balanced group and one that is not all that straightforward to predict.
Holland are the seeded team in Group E and they will rightly be favourites to qualify top of the pile after their flawless record in qualifying. Arjen Robben, Wesley Sneijder and Rafael Van Der Vaart will cause any defence problems as will Arsenal's Robin Van Persie assuming he suffers no complications recovering from his long-term injury. One area which might be considered a weakness is at the back where they have failed to convince in recent years. But the Dutch play with the attitude of 'you score one, we'll score two' and they certainly have the talent to do that.
Denmark will take part in their first major tournament for six years when they pitch up in South Africa and they will be confident of making it through the group. The Danes suffered just one defeat in qualifying for the tournament and finished above much-fancied Portugal to secure an automatic berth. The team lack any superstars but a strong collective work ethic means they are capable of felling supposedly superior opposition.
Japan have been regulars at the World Cup of late and they made it to South Africa with the minimum of fuss - losing just once on the road to qualification. A good showing on home soil in 2002 was not followed up in 2006 when they managed just a single point but with skills of former Celtic star Shunsuke Nakamura in their midst they will certainly pose a danger especially if needless free-kicks are conceded within shooting distance.
Cameroon will be making their sixth appearance at World Cup finals and though they may not reach the heights of the 1990 side they are not to be discounted. Led my former Lyon and Rangers manager Paul Le Guen they are a tough outfit which also has a major goal threat in the form of Inter Milan's Samuel Eto'o.
Prediction: Holland and Denmark to edge through in a very tight group
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