Thursday, June 24, 2010

GROUP E .....


Denmark -0.5 2.20
Netherlands-Cameroon over 2.5 goals 2.11

Japan need just a point to progress, whereas Denmark need all three, so this match is very finely balanced and the situation cut and dry. The asian side are hard working and well organised, but offer little cutting edge, they seem sure to give the danes plenty of the ball and set out to frustrate them. I think this gives Denmark the chance to continue to grow in confidence and Dennis Rommedahl showed against Cameroon that he is still capable of terrorizing defences on a going day, Japan are a little slow at the back and also have an enormous disadvantage at set pieces which the europeans will be looking to exploit. This is unlikely to be a classic, especially with so much at stake, but I have to give my vote to Denmark.

Holland have booked their place in the last 16 and will be keen to keep their 100% record and also step up the level of performance. I think that they might deliberately have kept things low key so far, in the past we have seen them start tournaments on fire and look like world beaters after a couple of games, before running out of steam. This time they have been far lower profile, just doing enough to beat Japan and Denmark with the minimum amount of effort. They will rotate a little today, these players will be desperate to catch the eye of the coaching staff and I am certain that Arjen Robben will make his long awaited return to the team and play for at least a half or so. Therefore, a hungry dutch team, with their star player looking to get plenty of the ball and some game time. Cameroon have talent, we saw that at times against Denmark when they created an enormous number of chances, they can go two ways today, try to say goodbye with an upbeat attacking performance, going toe to toe with the dutch, or put in a sulky lacklustre showing and let their heads drop if falling behind, either way it is difficult not to see goals and the odds for three or more look very tempting.

Good Luck.

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