Group E promises to be one of the tightest in the tournament, bringing together European duo Denmark and the Netherlands, Asian contenders Japan, the first country to book their ticket to South Africa 2010, and an African team returning to their competitive best in Cameroon.

Flawless during the qualifiers and allying sturdiness with their traditional stylish play, the Oranje lie third in the FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking and are suitably ambitious. However, Denmark, Cameroon and Japan are all dangerous opponents boasting plenty of major finals knowhow.

No African team boast more FIFA World Cup™ experience than the Indomitable Lions, and coach Paul Le Guen has turned the side’s fortunes around as they gear up for their sixth appearance on the global stage. Samuel Eto’o and Co have rediscovered their confidence and love nothing better than testing themselves in high-profile events. As for Morten Olsen’s Denmark, the Nordic aspirants reached at least as far as the Round of 16 on each of their three previous tilts in 1986, 1998 and 2002, while Japan will travel to South Africa on the back of a solid qualifying campaign.

The favourites
[b]Netherlands:[/b] Eight games, eight wins was the tally achieved by Bert van Marwijk’s troops in Group 9 of the European Zone, the former Feyenoord coach having yet to drop a point in a competitive match. Difficult to break down at the back and blessed with enviable attacking talents, the Dutch have made no secret of ther intention to return home with the Trophy. “We have a mission: to be champions of the world,” assistant coach Frank de Boer told FIFA.com, and the team are unlikely to be haunted by their failed campaign in 2006 or the disappointment of their UEFA EURO 2008 bid. The core of the line-up has changed and so have the methods behind the scenes, but the philosophy remains familiar.

Cameroon: The Indomitable Lions have played more games and notched up more points than any other African side at a FIFA World Cup finals. Le Guen looks to have all the right tools to do that proud tradition justice, with deadly marksman Eto'o the focal point of a team also featuring the likes of Jean II Makoun, Achille Emana and Alexandre Song. Their strong finish in qualifying served as a timely reminder that Cameroon remain a powerhouse of the African continent.

The outsiders
Denmark: With the wily Olsen at the helm, Denmark have worked their way back to world football’s top table. Absent in 2006 before missing out on UEFA EURO 2008 as well, they sewed up their fourth finals participation with surprising ease, finishing first in a section that also contained Portugal and Sweden. Jon Dahl Tomasson and his colleagues have been reaping the benefits of stability, not to mention the experience gained by key players in some of Europe’s leading leagues.

Japan: Back in the Japan dugout after leading the side at France 1998, Takeshi Okada had to rebuild the side and bring through a new generation of players. Through to the main event for the fourth time, the Samurai Blue travel as winners of three of the last five editions of the AFC Asian Cup, and they proved in qualifying that they can harbour serious hopes of progression to the Round of 16. Eliminated after the group stage in 2006, Japan will look to two players tasting success in Europe to improve on that showing in South Africa: Shunsuke Nakamura and youngster Keisuke Honda.

The players to watch
Arjen Robben (NED), Dirk Kuyt (NED), Nicklas Bendtner (DEN), Jon Dahl Tomasson (DEN), Shunsuke Nakamura (JPN), Keisuke Honda (JPN), Samuel Eto'o (CMR), Jean II Makoun (CMR), Alexandre Song (CMR)

The crunch match
On 24 June, Cape Town will host the meeting between Cameroon and the Netherlands, a game which already looks set to be crucial on the road to the Round of 16.

A look back
Denmark-Netherlands, 22 June 1992: This semi-final contest at the 1992 UEFA European Championship pitted surprise late entrants Denmark against Marco van Basten and the holders in Gothenburg. The Oranje were heavy favourites to prevail but quickly found themselves struggling and needed Frank Rijkaard’s 86th-minute leveller to take the match into extra time. The scoreline remained locked at 2-2 and the victors had to be decided on penalties, with Denmark keeping their cool to bury every effort and Van Basten failing for the champions. That sent the Scandinavian side through to the showpiece match, where they famously came out on top.

Did you know?
Olsen will be celebrating ten years in charge of the national side next summer. None of his 31 counterparts can claim more experience than that, and Frenchman Le Guen only took over the Cameroon job in July this year.

The stat
76 – Between them, the four teams in Group E have contested 76 FIFA World Cup finals matches. The Netherlands have the most impressive pedigree of all thanks to their 36 outings.

dyabman:

Group E promises to be one of the tightest in the tournament, bringing together European duo Denmark and the Netherlands, Asian contenders Japan, the first country to book their ticket to South Africa 2010, and an African team returning to their competitive best in Cameroon.

Flawless during the qualifiers and allying sturdiness with their traditional stylish play, the Oranje lie third in the FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking and are suitably ambitious. However, Denmark, Cameroon and Japan are all dangerous opponents boasting plenty of major finals knowhow.

No African team boast more FIFA World Cup™ experience than the Indomitable Lions, and coach Paul Le Guen has turned the side’s fortunes around as they gear up for their sixth appearance on the global stage. Samuel Eto’o and Co have rediscovered their confidence and love nothing better than testing themselves in high-profile events. As for Morten Olsen’s Denmark, the Nordic aspirants reached at least as far as the Round of 16 on each of their three previous tilts in 1986, 1998 and 2002, while Japan will travel to South Africa on the back of a solid qualifying campaign.

The favourites
[b]Netherlands:[/b] Eight games, eight wins was the tally achieved by Bert van Marwijk’s troops in Group 9 of the European Zone, the former Feyenoord coach having yet to drop a point in a competitive match. Difficult to break down at the back and blessed with enviable attacking talents, the Dutch have made no secret of ther intention to return home with the Trophy. “We have a mission: to be champions of the world,” assistant coach Frank de Boer told FIFA.com, and the team are unlikely to be haunted by their failed campaign in 2006 or the disappointment of their UEFA EURO 2008 bid. The core of the line-up has changed and so have the methods behind the scenes, but the philosophy remains familiar.

Cameroon: The Indomitable Lions have played more games and notched up more points than any other African side at a FIFA World Cup finals. Le Guen looks to have all the right tools to do that proud tradition justice, with deadly marksman Eto'o the focal point of a team also featuring the likes of Jean II Makoun, Achille Emana and Alexandre Song. Their strong finish in qualifying served as a timely reminder that Cameroon remain a powerhouse of the African continent.

The outsiders
Denmark: With the wily Olsen at the helm, Denmark have worked their way back to world football’s top table. Absent in 2006 before missing out on UEFA EURO 2008 as well, they sewed up their fourth finals participation with surprising ease, finishing first in a section that also contained Portugal and Sweden. Jon Dahl Tomasson and his colleagues have been reaping the benefits of stability, not to mention the experience gained by key players in some of Europe’s leading leagues.

Japan: Back in the Japan dugout after leading the side at France 1998, Takeshi Okada had to rebuild the side and bring through a new generation of players. Through to the main event for the fourth time, the Samurai Blue travel as winners of three of the last five editions of the AFC Asian Cup, and they proved in qualifying that they can harbour serious hopes of progression to the Round of 16. Eliminated after the group stage in 2006, Japan will look to two players tasting success in Europe to improve on that showing in South Africa: Shunsuke Nakamura and youngster Keisuke Honda.

The players to watch
Arjen Robben (NED), Dirk Kuyt (NED), Nicklas Bendtner (DEN), Jon Dahl Tomasson (DEN), Shunsuke Nakamura (JPN), Keisuke Honda (JPN), Samuel Eto'o (CMR), Jean II Makoun (CMR), Alexandre Song (CMR)

The crunch match
On 24 June, Cape Town will host the meeting between Cameroon and the Netherlands, a game which already looks set to be crucial on the road to the Round of 16.

A look back
Denmark-Netherlands, 22 June 1992: This semi-final contest at the 1992 UEFA European Championship pitted surprise late entrants Denmark against Marco van Basten and the holders in Gothenburg. The Oranje were heavy favourites to prevail but quickly found themselves struggling and needed Frank Rijkaard’s 86th-minute leveller to take the match into extra time. The scoreline remained locked at 2-2 and the victors had to be decided on penalties, with Denmark keeping their cool to bury every effort and Van Basten failing for the champions. That sent the Scandinavian side through to the showpiece match, where they famously came out on top.

Did you know?
Olsen will be celebrating ten years in charge of the national side next summer. None of his 31 counterparts can claim more experience than that, and Frenchman Le Guen only took over the Cameroon job in July this year.

The stat
76 – Between them, the four teams in Group E have contested 76 FIFA World Cup finals matches. The Netherlands have the most impressive pedigree of all thanks to their 36 outings.

  Nice work man, MIC on lets do this group man and we can as well call it the ORANGE Group though jinxed but sure favourites. lets go there!! the other slot is between cameroun and Denmark but on racial ground switch says Eto must be in the next stage.

The spot light is on cameroun here, since the mundial is holding on African soil, we expect the lions to give a good account of themselves.

QOUTES!!
Van Marwijk: A dangerous group

Bert van Marwijk, Netherlands coach
We might be seen as favourites, but the group will be very difficult for us. Denmark are a team we know very well, and you only need to see that they qualified in front of Portugal, Sweden and Hungary to see they have a very good team. We beat Japan recently in a friendly match, it’s true, but it’s difficult to say whether that will be an advantage or not. Although we won 3-0, I said afterwards that the score was misleading because the game was nowhere near as easy as it seemed. We didn’t deserve to win like that. Japan have a very good team, they are strong technically and tactically. Their only problem against us was in scoring goals. And Cameroon are one of the top three African nations, so it’s a dangerous group for us. But we have know that if we have our strongest team and everyone is in form, we can beat everyone. We must have the right form and the right mentality. You have to have confidence in yourself, but you must not be arrogant.

Morten Olsen, Denmark coach
It’s a group with different styles of football from different continents, and I think that’s intriguing. We know Dutch football very well and I think it’s obvious that they must be the clear favourites in this section. For the other three, it could be a case of fighting for second place. Japan play a nice style, although I don’t know them so well, while Cameroon are a top African team with players in all the major European leagues, so it’s a difficult one for us. The most important thing will probably be who has players fit and in good form going into the tournament. We used 40 players during qualifying and had a lot of problems with injuries, so I’m hoping we have a more settled period over the next few months and that we have healthy, fit players who are ready to go to the World Cup and play well. Only once I know how we are looking in that respect can I say how hopeful I am of making it through. We hope to play well and hope also to be lucky. That always helps!

Takeshi Okada, Japan coach
Our goal is to reach the last four and we were never going to change that, regardless of results of the draw. We have obviously been drawn in a group that features two European teams and the tasks facing us is clearly not easy. But we have prepared against European teams for years and we want very much to defeat them. So the draw is not too bad for us as it provides with us a chance to fulfil our aim. It is an open group and we must now on focus on preparing for the tournament itself. We have learned about the hurdles we have to overcome, so the next step is to make plans and carry them out.

Paul Le Guen, Cameroon coach
It could have been easier for us, but it could also have been more difficult. The Netherlands are clearly the favourites and there is a reason for that – they have the best team in the group. But although it will be difficult for us, it’s not impossible. I don’t know too much about Denmark, but I will study them more closely over the next six or seven months. I know many of their players and they definitely have a lot of talent in their squad. With Japan, I have some hard work ahead because the only player I know well is [Shunsuke] Nakamura. That is not enough, so I will be making sure that I find out a lot more before 2010. As for Cameroon, we certainly have some good players, a good spirit and we have improved a lot since I first took the job. It will be a special World Cup for us, simply because it is in Africa, and I know the players feel that. The location could well be an advantage for us.
Fifa. com

My predictions:
1. Netherlands
2. Cameroon
3. Denmark
4. Japan

For me, the players to watch are:
- Netherlands: Van Der Wiel, Elia, Affelay; we already know what Van Persie, Van Der Vaart, Sneijder, Kuyt and Robben can do.
- Cameroon: Choupo-Moting, J. Matip, Mbia, Enoh.
- Denmark: Bendtner.
- Japan: Honda, Matsui.


My favourites to win this year's WC is THE NETHERLANDS! Yes, before England and France because these 2 have already won the trophy once. Spain are my 2nd favourites and 3rd would be Argentina.

[center] Robben set to miss Dutch opener - coach
[/center]
Netherlands winger Arjen Robben is making progress in his recovery from a hamstring injury but is not expected to feature for the Dutch in their opening World Cup match against Denmark on June 14, coach Bert van Marwijk said.

In a statement the Dutch football association (KNVB) on Tuesday said that after deliberation between the medical staff, Robben and physiotherapist Dick van Toorn, the winger might travel to South Africa this weekend to join the squad.

"I don't expect him to be ready for Denmark," Van Marwijk told a news conference on Tuesday.

"Since the Champions League final (May 22) he has joined two and a half training sessions, one full and played one half so we have to be patient with him.

"Our goal is to get him ready so that he can be valuable for us further on in the tournament."

Robben sustained a hairline crack in his left hamstring during the final minutes of the 6-1 thrashing of Hungary in which he scored twice on Saturday.

HOLLAND
Recent Games

2010-06-05 Holland 6 - 1 Hungary

2010-06-01 Holland 4 - 1 Ghana

2010-05-26 Holland 2 - 1 Mexico n

2010-03-03 Holland 2 - 1 United States

2009-11-18 Holland 0 - 0 Paraguay

2009-11-14 Italy 0 - 0 Holland

2009-10-10 Australia 0 - 0 Holland

2009-09-09 Scotland 0 - 1 Holland Q

2009-09-05 Holland 3 - 0 Japan

2009-08-12 Holland 2 - 2 England

2009-06-10 Holland 2 - 0 Norway Q

2009-06-06 Iceland 1 - 2 Holland Q

2009-04-01 Holland 4 - 0 Rep. of Macedonia Q

2009-03-28 Holland 3 - 0 Scotland Q

2009-02-11 Tunisia 1 - 1 Holland

2008-11-19 Holland 3 - 1 Sweden

2008-10-15 Norway 0 - 1 Holland Q

2008-10-11 Holland 2 - 0 Iceland Q

2008-09-10 Rep. of Macedonia 1 - 2 Holland Q

2008-09-06 Holland 1 - 2 Australia

2008-08-20 Russia 1 - 1 Holland

2008-06-21 Holland 1 - 3 Russia n

2008-06-17 Holland 2 - 0 Romania n

2008-06-13 Holland 4 - 1 France n

2008-06-09 Holland 3 - 0 Italy n

2008-06-01 Holland 2 - 0 Wales

2008-05-29 Holland 1 - 1 Denmark

2008-05-24 Holland 3 - 0 Ukraine

Win 19 (67.9%) Draw 7 (25.0%) Loss 2 (7.1%)

apart from the usual suspects, watch out for these players in the 'Oranje Gang'. Ibrahim Afellay(PSV) and Danny De Zeuw(Ajax)

I don't see cameroon making it, i see denmark

can u it this

mama-gee:

Cameroun all the way!

Are you a cameruinian ?

Common Dutch !

@ Eastbay

where are you bro?

It is Finish!

Cameroon seem to be in a worse state than Nigeria; lets see what happens in their first game.

Cameroun worst! i can't say that now . . .

Sneijder impressed by strength in depth

Wesley Sneijder believes Holland's strength in depth could be one of their keys to success at this summer's FIFA World Cup™.

The Dutch opened their campaign in South Africa yesterday with a 2-0 victory over Denmark in Johannesburg. It was not the most convincing of performances from the Oranje, who had to rely on a Daniel Agger own goal to break the deadlock seconds after the second half began.

Substitute Eljero Elia, who looked lively from the moment he was introduced, then set up the second five minutes from full-time to wrap up the win. And Sneijder thought the result reflected the mark of a good team - one that is able to win under any circumstances.

"Of course we didn't play that well today, but we won, 2-0," he said. "I think the win is the most important thing. Let's not forget that these Danes in the first half did an excellent job because they studied us very thoroughly. But we improved a lot in the second half and got the result. So we are satisfied."

The Inter Milan midfielder also hailed the quality of players Bert van Marwijk's side had on the bench, with the injured Arjen Robben and the likes of Klaas Jan Huntelaar not even featuring at Soccer City.

He added: "I think in the second half we did very well, by running, beating players and showing our creativity. Also on the bench we have some fantastic players, who can come in and really make the difference. They have creativity and good ability. At some point in the second half, we saw that. We had a player that came on and made a difference."

Denmark goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen felt his side showed what they were capable off against a formidable Dutch side. "They're a good team, but we made them not as good as what people thought they were," he said.

The Stoke goalkeeper also predicted that their fellow Europeans, who are amongst the pre-tournament favourites, had a good chance of success in South Africa.

He added: "I don't think they play badly. I'm sure they'll go far. They have the players and you can see the quality they have coming off the bench as well. They have a good squad, so they should be among the contenders."