The Netherlands will look to follow up their seamless progress to the last 16 with a commanding performance against already out-of-contention Cameroon in their final Group E match today.
.The Netherlands will be keen to avoid a repeat of 2006 and Euro 2008, when then-coach Marco van Basten fielded weakened sides in their final group matches and then suffered defeat in the first knock-out round. Coach Bert van Marwijk has spoken of the importance of the team finding their rhythm and has resisted the temptation to change around his team for the final game, meaning Arjen Robben will have to wait to make his first appearance at the 2010 tournament.
Cameroon has nothing to play for but pride after defeats by Japan and Denmark. The Indomitable Lions have been a huge disappointment in South Africa. Coach Paul Le Guen has been widely criticised over team selection and tactics, with some of his own players questioning his wisdom. This game could be his last in charge, with reports in Australia suggesting he is favourite to take over the Socceroos job from Pim Verbeek after the tournament.
The Netherlands will be hoping that their team can find the much sought after rhythm which has been missing in their two group games to date. They may have won both games with somewhat ease but the only criticism of the Netherlands' clinical wins over Denmark and Japan has been that their performances have lacked their usual dose of entertainment value. With Arjen Robben expected to appear at some stage there is hope that he will be the catalyst for the entertaining football Holland are known for and bring them far in the tournament.
Prediction: Holland 3-0 Cameroon
Denmark vs Japan
Progress for Japan would be a remarkable achievement. Okada's side came into the tournament on their worst run of form for 12 years, but stunned Cameroon in their opening match and were impressive in defeat against the Netherlands.
The Japanese side is built on a solid defence, with centre-backs Yuji Nakazawa and Marcus Tulio Tanaka in commanding form thus far. CSKA Moscow's Keisuke Honda has been their key man and a talismanic presence - Japan have won all five matches in which he has scored, keeping a clean sheet in all of them. If they are to progress to the round of 16 they will need him to hit the net again today.
Denmark has been unimpressive so far, and were on the brink of being eliminated from the tournament in the match against Cameroon, going a goal down before Nicklas Bendtner and Dennis Rommedahl hit back. The Danes have never failed to reach the second round in four previous attempts. No doubt they will be aiming to use their height advantage to beat the Japanese. 14 of the Danish squad stand over 6ft tall while only 6 of the Japanese squad are that tall.
Both teams will have the belief in themselves to reach the second round and face Paraguay. With Italy having been knocked out earlier today both of these teams might even believe they can go far as Paraguay wont fill them with fear. I think Denmark’s history and experience at this stage of the World Cup should see them through.
Prediction: Denmark 2-1 Japan
No comments:
Post a Comment