This is a very strange group. It apparently has six countries in it. Denmark, Japan, Cameroon, The Netherlands, Holland and the Dutch. It’s all very confusing but let’s try and sort it out by having a look at how they qualified.
Group E includes:
HOLLAND – Qualified by using three different sets of players during each match. The Netherlands would start the match, Holland would come on in the second half and The Dutch would bring it home. Excellent tactics.
DENMARK – Qualified by having a Great Dane in goal whose bite is definitely worse than his bark. Opposition players were scared to even enter the penalty area.
JAPAN – Qualified and had a whale of a time doing it.
CAMEROON – Qualified with the aid of the ghost of Roger Milla! They had to kill him to use his ghost but it was a small price to pay.
Holland are quite possibly the most unsuccessful success stories in world football. They are always there abouts but only once have they managed to claim a major prize, the 1988 European Championships. This time around they will be riding on the back of a resurgent Arjen Robben who has had a great 2010 so far.
But who will be Robben’s Batman? Ruud van Nistelrooy, the man with the head of a horse and the stubbornness of a donkey will be poaching goals more often than a truck stop breakfast cook poaches eggs.
But will that be enough to get them into another losing semi-final? Probably, but I can see them over-achieving and losing in the quarters.
Denmark has no real superstars to speak of (Arsenal fans might say Bendtner is a star, but who listens to Gunners fans anyway), they just have a squad of hard workers.
I’m sure when I am sitting down to watch their games, eating a Danish Bun and drinking a Carlsberg that I will be impressed by their tenacity and brilliant durability. Or something less boring.
Japan are a perennial Asian football powerhouse. They are managed by the incomparable Takeshi Okada. His training methods are somewhat strange but always hilariously entertaining. The Japanese Football Association commissioned a TV show to document the training camp for the past few World Cups. It is called Takeshi’s Castle.
Okada believes the children are their future. If he teaches them well then they will lead the way to a World Cup victory. That’s what he decided long ago.
Cameroon has provided one enduring memory in the World Cup – Roger Milla. Every time they qualify, the question comes out. Who will be this years’ Roger Milla? Well, I think it is time we moved on. He is not coming back. Deal with it everybody, please. So, with no Milla magic Cameroon will sadly be unable to win any games. Sorry.
Prediction:
1. Holland.
2. Denmark.
3. Japan.
4. Cameroon.
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