deyan's group E preview

good to see someone finally playing well, but unfortunately its everyone's least favorite reich. at least they are getting a little more ethnic. poor old australia, at least they've got their aussie rules. here is deyan's group e take, below the vid.



Group E
Based on the form of each national side in the past year, the Netherlands are clear and away the best team in the world. During WC qualifying, they were unstoppable. In the friendlies since them, they have been even better. With stars such as Van Bommel, Sneijder, Robben, and Van Persie, their midfield play and strike force up top is as good as any side in the world. Not to mention the versatile Van der Vart, the hard working Kuyt, and the continually underrated De Jong, they can be impossible to defend. However, they are not one of the favorites to win it all because of their shaky back line and unknown goalkeeping. The key to them winning it all is if 27 year old, unfamiliar goalkeeper Stekelenburg can play as well as his mentor Van der Sar has played throughout his career. If Stekelenburg can play above average, they have the talent and experience to win it all.

Denmark is a dangerous and defensive minded side that has talent all over the pitch. They have a mixture of young stars, Bendtner and Agger, and quality vets, Tomasson and Sorensen. The key is if Bendtner can come back from struggling groin problems and regain full match fitness. If he can, then look for Denmark to claim second place in this group. If he cannot, then look for Cameroon, and their superstar, Eto, to take full advantage. On paper, with Spurs duo Ekotto and Bassong in defense, Arsenal star Song in midfield, and Eto up top, they have better players then Denmark and should advance. However, the game is not played on paper and in their recently friendlies, they have not played well together as a team and generally have looked atrocious. The key is if Song can dominate the center of the park like he is able to.

Japan has more talent than people know of. They have a strong midfield with many creative spark plugs that have the ability to turn the game in any second. However, they play poorly together and never seem to know how to play well off of each other. They key to their squad is if their star, Honda, and his wicked left boot can score or create any goals.

Netherlands, Cameroon