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Group A

Group B

Group C

Group D

Group E

Group F

Group G

Group H

Group E

Netherlands

The Dutch go to South Africa having won all their qualifying games, scoring 17 goals and conceding two. This seems to be the result of a team, which habitually fractured with ego- conflicts and bitter rivalry leading up to big tournaments, finally showing mutual respect and harmony. This has turned a squad of, in my opinion, highly undervalued and underrated individuals in their respective settings into an outstanding team unit. All these players have something to prove to their critics, and working together towards that common goal will make them a force to be reckoned with.

The Netherlands boast the two star performers in this year’s Champions League, Champions Inter’s Wesley Sneijder and Runners up Bayern’s Arjen Robben. Both have shown their true value after being cast away by Real Madrid at the beginning of the season, with Robben clinching the German League Player of the Year and Sneijder on course to be the front runner for Serie A’s Player of the Season. Arsenal’s Robin Van Persie will be keen to find full fitness again after five months out with injury, and his brace in a recent friendly against Mexico is an encouraging sign. Liverpool’s Dirk Kuyt will bring a tireless work-rate to the team, while Real’s Rafael van der Vaart is a valuable attacking option, whether starting or coming off the bench. Ajax right-back and the Dutch League’s Young Player of the Year Gregory van der Wiel, is one to watch as a future star.

It would be criminally biased not to disclaim that The Dutch defense is comparatively unspectacular to its offense. Also, while talented, Manchester City’s Nigel de Jong will be a card magnet after recklessly breaking American Stuart Holden’s leg in a friendly in March.

Denmark

Like the Dutch, Denmark will rely on good collective team ethic to succeed. Unlike the Dutch, they seem to lack the star power to compete against the top teams of the tournament. The team does boast a strong formational spine, with West Brom’s Thomas Sorenson dependable in goal. Liverpool’s Daniel Agger and Palermo’s Simon Kjaer confidently and capably control central defense, guarded by Juventus holding midfielder Christian Poulsen. 22 year-old Arsenal striker Nicklas Bendtner spearheads the attack as the team’s top-scorer in qualification, with service from the experienced, but visibly slower with age, Danish wingers. This set up was good enough to trump both Portugal and Sweden in their qualification group.  Currently, the final squad is littered with little niggling injuries (five players, Klahenburg, Tomasson, Sorenson, Kjaer and Bendtner, should be sitting out Saturday’s friendly against South Africa) which, this close to opening day, should be a little worrying for their campaign.

One young talent worth mentioning is 18-year-old Ajax midfielder Christian Eriksen. He probably will not be a starter, but what we do see of the playmaker, touted as the next Michael Laudrup, should be impressive.

Japan

Consistently present in the World Cup since 1998, Japan has never won a World Cup match overseas. They relied on home advantage to get as far as the Second Round in 2002. The Samurai Blue will bring a technical team ability that most teams can’t match. What holds them back is their inability to carry this into their attacking third of the field.

How Keisuke Honda only managed an ₤eight million move to CSKA Moscow this January was a surprise and bargain. The midfielder’s showing in the Champions League showcased his abilities as a goal creator and goal scorer and that Russia is just a stepping stone in the 23 year old’s career. Catania’s Takayuki Morimoto has been compared to Brazilian legend Ronaldo by Alexandre Pato and has been rumored to have caught the attention of Arsenal and Manchester United scouts. Former Glasgow Celtic Star Shunsuke Nakamura will provide experience in the midfield, as well as his renowned dead-ball skill.

Cameroon

As the top FIFA-ranked African nation, Cameroon should feel pressure to perform from the collective African hearts and dreams. Currently, this pressure seems to be souring the team chemistry as the tournament builds up. Cameroon’s Legendary former striker Roger Milla came out in the press criticizing team-captain and pivotal player Samuel Eto’o's efforts for the national team. This had probably the opposite effect that Milla was hoping for, with Eto’o threatening to leave the team and soon after getting sent off in their latest friendly against Portugal. The Inter Milan striker’s role in the team has come under question before, but it has been more of a question of how the team utilizes his immense attacking talents instead of what he can do for them.

Despite the aforementioned issues with Eto’o, the striker always has the potential to finish clinically, even if provided with scraps. The Indomitable Lions have Arsenal youngster Alex Song to bring stability in defensive midfield.  Lyon midfielder Jean Makoun will add more dynamic support. Veterans on the team Rigobert Song and Geremi bring the benefit of vast experience with the liability of being well past their prime.

Overall Prediction

Provided the Netherlands keep their key players healthy and card-free, they should advance far in this World Cup, beginning with first place in this qualifying group. Second place would have been very tight and probably have would gone down to goal difference between Denmark and Cameroon, if Denmark had a fully fit squad. However, their injury list leads me to believe that they cannot overcome a divided Cameroon camp for second place.