FIFA World Cup Group E

The Netherlands is beginning to sound like a broken record. It has arrived at every tournament in recent memory promising a great deal, but then departed before the climax, having choked on the pitch and argued amongst one another off of it. That said, it's hard to argue against the Oranje topping Group E ahead of the varied talents of Japan, Cameroon and Denmark.

The Dutch were ruthless in qualifying for South Africa, achieving a 100 per cent record. Concerns about frailty at the back were rebuked, with a defense containing Hamburg's Joris Mathijsen conceding only two goals in eight games. It is up the other end where they shine most brightly though. Inter Milan playmaker Wesley Sneijder can pick defensive locks better than most. Robin van Persie, should be fresh after only recently returning for Arsenal from an injury lay-off, and Arjen Robben has enjoyed a spectacular season with Bayern Munich. Both supply both lightning pace and deadly finishing.

Bert van Marwijk is the latest coach trusted with putting these considerable talents together into a coherent whole. He has brought retired Dutch internationals Phillip Cocu and Frank de Boer into his backroom staff as part of an effort to stop the internal strife which has wrecked prospects in the past. "van Marwijk must get a grip of these conflicts," says Rainer Holzschuh, editor of German sport magazine kicker. "But I'm sure he can do that, because the team already strikes me as being stable and assured."

Clashing cultures of Danes and "Lions"

While most would have been desperate to avoid the Dutch when the groups were drawn, northern European neighbor Denmark is relishing the prospect of a showdown. Morten Olsen's side also qualified impressively, leaving Portugal and Sweden in their wake, and will be looking to emulate their performance at World Cup 1998 when it reached the last eight. The squad contains few star names, and many players, such as Thomas Kahlenberg at VfL Wolfsburg and Daniel Jensen of Werder Bremen, struggle for regular first-team football. But in his ten years as coach, Olsen has created a hard-working unit very used to playing together, and it will be a hard side to break down.

Cameroon's "Indomitable Lions" are of a rather different mold. The four-time African champions struggled under German coach Otto Pfister in their early qualifying rounds, before Paul Le Guen rescued the campaign and steered them to South Africa. Inter Milan striker Samuel Eto'o is their star performer and now captains a side which also includes Alexandre Song of Arsenal and a number of Bundesliga youngsters, such as Joel Matip at Schalke 04.

A typically African exuberance in playing style is matched by problems with discipline and, similar to the Dutch, divisions within the squad. With world soccer's premier tournament being played on African soil for the first time, they can look forward to vociferous backing from fans and neutrals come June. "They will make use of home advantage," says kicker's Holzschuh.

Japan no strangers to the big stage

Japan rounds off Group E with a group of largely home-based players. Only three of coach Takeshi Okada's squad have top-level European experience. They include CSKA Moscow's Keisuke Honda and Makoto Hasebe of VfL Wolfsburg. The 2002 co-host finished second behind Australia in its group in the Asian qualifying section to make its fourth consecutive World Cup.

The group's opening games on June 14 will go a long way in establishing the pecking order. At Johannesburg's magnificent Soccer City Stadium, Denmark will do its best to frustrate the Netherlands, who will feel the group is theirs for the taking if they can secure the first three points. Japan and Cameroon, meanwhile, meet in Bloemfontein with both sides knowing that a winning start would put them in a strong position to challenge for a place in the second round.

Author: Jens Krepela / tms
Editor: Matt Hermann