Soundoff: Your World Cup Group E Predictions…

June 6th, 2010 | by: Rob |

group e draw Moving through the groups at a pace now, and we find ourselves in Group E. Time to put our necks out and say who we think is going to get through this one. I haven’t been finding it too easy to rank the teams in each group from 1-4, and E is not really an exception.

This group finds Holland, Denmark, Japan and Cameroon together. Four teams with a varied, but rich history in International football. And of course, this group might have got that little bit closer with the news that Arjen Robben, possibly Oranje’s best player limped off in a warm up match.

He’s having a scan tomorrow, which makes doing predictions today somewhat trickier. But I’m going ahead anyway.

Because regardless, I think Holland will win the group. Even if they go into the group stages without Robben, they still have a wealth of absolutely quality attacking options, and Dirk Kuyt. They don’t look as strong at the back (despite a deceptive qualifying run), which I think makes them Dark Horses rather than Tournament favourites, but pre-Robben’s hamstring I was tipping them to go to the last four.

Its a bit trickier putting the rest in order.

Denmark won their qualifying group, which was, on paper a really tough one. Sweden and Portugal were also in their group, but the Swedes seem to have lost the power they had a few years ago, despite Zlatan’s magic, and Portugal never looked particularly convincing regardless of the fact they have Ronaldo in their side. So them winning that qualifying group is not, for me, as convincing as it seems.

Cameroon lit the fuse for African football back in 1990, when Roger Milla and co captured the imagination of the world, but they’ve had a pretty miserable time since, and they didn’t even qualify for the 2006 World Cup. They also only made the Quarter Finals of the 2010 African Cup of Nations. But one African Team is going to get into the knockout stages, I just feel it.

I love Japan. I really enjoyed the show they put on with South Korea in 2002, And I love that their fans get into the spirit of Second Teams and continue to love the tournament even after their country has exited. Clearly, they love their football. The fans have had plenty of time to watch their team this year – they’ve played 10 friendlies since January. They have had really mixed results, and though they look organised, they don’t seem to take to pressure that well.

So bearing that in mind, I’m going to say

Holland
Cameroon
Japan
Denmark

I think. I’m not very confident, and I’m not a betting man. But lets hear your predictions, how do you see Group E finishing?

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TheoT

Holland
Denmark
Cameroon
Japan

Holland will come first-they're too good. Denmark and Cameron could easily swap but Japan could also fight for a place. However, I think Japan will come last as they (similarly to in rugby) will tire quickly because as generally the Japanese are physically weaker and so will fade toward the end of the game.
oskardevarsovie

Japan is definitely the weakest link. Cameroon isn't playing very well at all at the moment, so the obvious choice would be:

Netherlands (who were awesome against Hungary lately)
Denmark (not so awesome against S.Africa, but still they're a solid side)
Cameroon
Japan
The_Alchemist

Now this is a well argued predicition:

4 Japan is crap.
3 Cameroon could do better but doesn't
3 Danmark is solid.
4 Netherlands will play for the trophy.
http://sevilla.theoffside.com/ SevillaOffside_Joshua

Netherlands
Japan
Denmark
Cameroon

I think the Blue Samurai can surprise people. They are certainly capable of playing better than they have the last few months, and if they can figure it out defensively, I think they stand a chance. That would be the group finish I am hoping for.
Bense235

Netherlands and Denmark, only separated by goal difference with 7 or 5 points. I'm not seeing any chance for Japan or Cameroon.
Dom

All I've got to say is Netherlands top and Japan bottom! I actually don't really know much about the Cameroon team this year; haven't followed them as much as I've followed Ghana (coz of the Aussie connection) and Ivory Coast (coz I think think rock!).

But if I had to take a gamble I'd say Cameroon in second purely on the African-home-soil-romance-thing.

So:

Netherlands
Cameroon
Denmark
Japan

Kills me to put Japan last. I so agree with you Rob – it's great the way Japanese supporters jump behind a second team. Pains me to put them last but just don't see the quality for them this year.
TomFC

Very disappointing to see how little progress the Japanese national team have made over the last eight years. In Tulio and Nakazawa they've managed to find a couple of solid central defenders, but there's still a critical shortage of goal scorers. Unfortunately I think they'll finish bottom of the group for the second world cup in a row.

Netherlands are obviously very good. Should top the group comfortably.

Hard to pick between Denmark and Cameroon. The impression I get of the Danes is that they might struggle to break down organised defences, but if the Indominable Lions can concede four goals to Serbia then perhaps they have a few issues back there.

I'm going to tip Cameroon on the basis that they're more likely to get a win against Japan and something against the Netherlands (Final game. Dutch will likely already have qualified) but I'm not very confident.

1. Netherlands
2. Cameroon
3. Denmark
4. Japan
http://twitter.com/EdgarBoccanegra Edgar Boccanegra

I can see any of the teams in this group beating the Netherlands, so they'll end up first. As for second, I'll go with history and pick the only side that has progressed to the second round in every world cup they've participated, Denmark

Netherlands
Denmark
Cameroon
Japan
http://www.facebook.com/people/Francisco-Fontano-Patan/1588194677 Francisco Fontano Patán

My predictions are
Netherlands
Denmark
Cameroon
Japan
The dutch are undoubtedly the best team in this group, they have great individual players who also play beautifull together, they should get over all their rivals without much problems.
The hardest thing to say about this group is who will prevail between Denmark and Cameroon, I chose the danish because I saw them play against Sweden and they gave me a good impression, while after watching Cameroon in ther african cup they didn't seemed loike much, also the danish have always advanced and with a solid team they can do it once again, I think they'll advance on goal difference.
Japan has not done well in the friendlies, and they have just done 1 point in world cups played outside their counntry, they look weak to me and I wouldn't be surprised if they finished with 0 points.
Deckard99

As a Dutchman I'm not trying to sound cocky, but I genuinely feel will we cruise through this group. 3 wins and 9 points. Based on the quality and form we currently have(be it with or without Robben) and the current form of our opponents. Including Denmark, who've been very disappointing in the warm ups. Now I know what really matters is how you perform in the WC itself, but there's no doubt the pre-Cup games give some sort of indication in what state teams currently are. Holland looked awesome against Hungary, Denmark and Japan looked almost pathetic against South Africa and Ivory Coast. Those are facts.

1. Holland 9pts
2. Denmark 4
3. Cameroon 4
4. Japan 0
nielsadriaan

I think the Dutch team will go to the finals! Even without Robben there is so much attacking/scoring power left. The defense is not the best, but to win you only have to score 1 more goal than the other team… Look at the 20 field players the Dutch have; most of them have good to very good scoring abilities. The goals against Hungary were without exception of high quality.
Tbone04

Come on, TomFC. Japan has a great scoring team. Just look back at the England friendly…they scored three points and England scored none! Now, if only Japan can score on the opponents goal instead of their own, they might have something. :)
http://twitter.com/Cyp_h3r Cyp h3r

Netherlands – Nationalistic, yes, but also just the best
Cameroon – Eto'o and..
Denmark – …Denmark had a terrible series of friendlies
Japan – Doesn't look awesome at all.
Tbone04

It would be a huge upset for the Netherlands to not come out on top. Everyone knows how good and consistent this team has been. However, I have to disagree about the other positions. I think Japan can play better than we think. I'm willing to bet that when the World Cup starts, we'll see a different team that will fall into second place in this group. Then Denmark due to upsets, and then Cameroon, who has failed to impress anyone in many years.
Deckard99

Holland passed the so-called Group of Death in EURO 08 with 9 points, even with Robben and Van Persie both playing only a game and a half, do you seriously think they'll top the group only on goal-difference? I highly doubt that. I know the Dutch side has a reputation of self-destructing but the last time there was a clear rift in the squad was back in EURO 96. Since then the Dutch camp hasn't had any major problems, so with a team effort and maximising their potential, I once again say they'll comfortably win all 3 games.