Game 26: Cameroon vs Denmark

Unfortunately I missed most of this game due to certain reasons, which is a shame because it looked like a good one from what I saw.

So instead, here is a link to ESPN soccernet: http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=264058&cc=5901&ver=us

... As it would be a shame for me to do a recap when I didn't see it.

Anyway, Cameroon is now eliminated, the first team in the tournament to crash out. Their loss also ensured that the Netherlands is the first team to go through.

For the first ever World Cup on African soil, the African teams sure are doing bad. I had Ghana and Cameroon to go through, the latter is eliminated, and the former might not even make it! Meanwhile South Africa and Nigeria have very little chance of going through. Ivory Coast may upset Portugal, but we will have to wait for the next two days to see.

Once again, my apologies, I'll be back tomorrow with all the recaps.

Game 10: Japan vs Cameroon

Congratulations to Japan for nabbing their first ever World Cup win on foreign soil, as they were able to do it with a solid performance.

Cameroon, it seems, did not show up to this match until the final fifteen minutes when they started to become desperate. Yet Japan would hold them, mounting a spectacular defense to halt the likes of Mbia and Eto'o.

The first half would prove to be really slow going, while both teams tried to get into a rhythm. Similar to the Algeria vs Slovenia game, both teams began very cautious, trying to find openings in the defenses. Cameroon, however, was starting to struggle. They were not able to connect their passes, as Japan would start to solidify the middle. Having rarely pressed throughout most of the match, Japan would get the deciding goal after Matsui sends in a beautiful cross to Honda on the back post, completely unmarked, and slots it into the net at the 39 minute mark.

With a goal in hand, Japan would sit on the lead, having literally no shots in the second half of the game. Cameroon would keep trying to press, but with a horrible 4-3-3 formation, the indomitable lions would resort to playing a long-ball game, belting the ball up the field and hoping a teammate would get onto it.

This long-ball game would result in quite a few shots; however, most would be off target, and those that were on target would be right at the goalkeeper Kawashima, who would make a couple good saves. Cameroon's best chance would come in the 86th minute, when Mbia would shoot a bullet, only to see it rattle off of the woodwork, poor guy.

To improve, Cameroon will probably need to revert to a 4-4-2 formation, with Eto'o up front and not stuck in the middle. Additionally, the team will need to practice their first touch, and gain some confidence when challenging for fifty-fifty balls, the lack of those two essential abilities is one reason Japan was able to create a strong defense. Unfortunately, after this game I feel it could be all over for the Indomitable Lions. With Netherlands and Denmark to come, both teams which I believe are vastly superior, Cameroon is going to have a horrendous time. My initial bracket is all messed up now.

For Japan, well, I bet they are extremely happy. The coach had some lofty ideals of making it to the quarter-finals, but the rest of the nation would have been happy with a win, and they got it! Anything else now will just be gravy, I believe. But expect Japan to be riding the high and fight hard against their next two opponents.

Group E: Cameroon

Cameroon is a team dependent on captain Samuel Eto'o [pictured], but he has been in the news lately for all the wrong reasons.  Former Cameroon player Roger Mila has come out to criticize Eto'o, saying (in regards to his ego) that he has not done anything for the nation. Now a typical professional would just ignore such a comment, go out on the pitch, score some goals, and prove his critics wrong. What did Eto'o do? He threatened to walk out of the team! Instead of showing up to training with the rest of The Lions on the first day, he went on a week long vacation. When he returned to play a warm-up match, he quickly got a red card, displaying an arrogance that defies logic on the pitch, and a reaction reminiscent of simply not caring after he left.

Things do not look good for Cameroon.

On the plus side, the rest of the team would die for their country. They want to win, badly, since they are playing in the first ever World Cup on African soil. They did have lapses in qualification, with their defense being a little shaky, and only producing low scoring games when Eto'o was not around. But desire to win is what will drive The Lions past the group stage. Expect a 4-5-1 formation, with Cameroon playing very defensively, trying to find a weakness in the opponent. This will work very well against Japan, possibly slow the Dutch down, and provide an even playing field against the Danes.

Key Players: Out with Eto'o, in with Alex Song! The Arsenal midfielder can really dictate the tempo of a game, and will probably be Cameroons creative genius. Geremi, a defender, will be crucial to Cameroons defense, brining a wealth of experience from his time in the EPL and La Liga.

My Prediction: Narrowly losing out to Italy in the second round, as the Italians will be used to playing against Cameroon's style of soccer.

Group E: Denmark

Unfortunately, this is not the same Denmark as thirty years ago, a team that had "The Great Dane" Peter Schmeichel and the Laudrup brothers. Thankfully, for being dubbed the least experienced Denmark team for many years, the Danes were able to roll over their qualification group. Not only did they edge out Portugal for first place, but they disqualified Scandinavian powerhouse Sweden!

Although, it may be unfair to call the team inexperienced, as they are filled with some bright talents. Nicklas Bendtner [pictured] of Arsenal has been a promising prospect in London, while Daniel Agger has been playing a lot of first team soccer at Liverpool. Thomas Sorenson is also back, prepared to be the imposing force he usually is in front of the net. However, there are weak points, with the majority of the defenders playing at small clubs that do not compete against the best opposition. But Morten Olsen has been at the helm of the team for a long time, serving as coach for ten years and counting. The team and fans will just have to put their trust into him, as he attempts to bring new glory to a team that has failed to impress for the past four years.

Truthfully, it is a shame that Denmark will likely not make it out of the group stage, but their games are sure to be enjoyable. As is the typical Danish fashion, expect many late game goals that could surprise us all, which could allow them to narrowly avoid being knocked out.

My Prediction: Group E 3rd Place.

Group E: Japan

Takeshi Okada [coach] has already called for a semi-final spot, meanwhile the fans are already calling for his head. Naturally Japan flew threw the qualification like a Tsunami hitting land (now expected of both Japan and Korea); however, a poor string of results since leading up to the tournament has shown how bad of form Japan is in.

Their defense has been really suspect, having already given three own-goals in two warm-up matches. But that's not all, they can't seem to protect their flanks, allowing too many crosses into the box which has tested their keepers.

Japan, like the United States, is a developing soccer country, both with new leagues, and the players only starting to gain notoriety on foreign soil. In the future Japan could easily become a powerhouse, if they manage to keep up their development, but at the present time... Well, lets just say the citizens of Japan are hoping to win at least one game to remain happy.

Key Players: Naturally Nakamura Shunsuke [Japanese name form] is placed into this list. Already having played for Celtic in Scotland for a few years (but now back in Japan League) he has become feared across Europe for his dead-ball skills. However, this could be his last World Cup, and if ever he wanted to go out with a bang, this would be the time for it.

My Prediction: Group E 4th Place.

Group E: Netherlands

Eight straight wins in qualification, undefeated in world cup warm-up matches, it is easy to see why Oranje are one of the favorites to win the tournament. Due to years of total football, when the Dutch have always had a strong squad, the team has surprised many when they look at their history and notice a single finals victory, the 1988 European Championship

This is the statistic that has always plagued the Netherlands, they show up to a finals and progress through the knockout stages only to be beaten prematurely.  In a sense, they are just like England, and like England, many journalists believe this year will be different.

Notorious for locker room rows, the Dutch have apparently calmed down, and are playing more like a cohesive unit. Total football is even back, with the defenders randomly becoming attackers, and the attackers tracking back to defend. Although their defense is their weakest link, their midfield and forwards rank on top of the worlds elite.  Dubbed the fantastic four (pictured), Robin van Persie, Arjen Robben, Wesley Sneijder, and Rafael van der Vaart form the core of the team. They can score, take free kicks, run till their legs run off, stagger defenders,  and physically challenge for the ball. However, there could be a problem, Arjen Robben just injured himself, which isn't a big surprise, he is always hurt. As a result, Dirk Kuyt could take his starting spot, forming a strike partnership with van Persie.

Provided the team ceases all the typical in-fighting, then this could be a spectacular time in history for all soccer fans.

My Prediction: Runners-Up

Photo taken from: http://netherlands.worldcupblog.org/world-cup-2010/laughter-in-south-africa-oranje-trains-and-looks-forward-to-arjen.html , show your support to his wonderful Netherlands blog.

Group D: Ghana

Along with Australia, this is Ghana's second world cup appearance in a row, and second ever. In addition, just like Australia, they have a fearsome squad.

In 2006 Ghana shocked everybody by reaching the second round, where they were promptly beaten by Brazil, but they did put out a good showing. On top of this, Ghana went on to win the U-20 competition, and a few of these players on now in the squad.

A unique aspect about Ghana is how young all the players are, with the average age sitting around 22-24 it is amazing to see so many of them succeeding in the top flights of the game. However, without Michael Essien (who is out injured), will Ghana have a chance? He was easily the teams best player, and one of the reasons they made it to the Cup for two tournaments in a row.

I'm going to go out on a limb and say Ghana will be the most successful African team at this tournament. They will reach the second round and put up a good fight against England, and then lose in the dying minutes of the game. Note, I also pick Cameroon to make the second round, but they will be soundly defeated by Italy, which is why I say Ghana will be the most successful.

Key Players:
Asamoah Gyan (pictured) is an amazing striker, having scored 17 goals in 32 qualifying games he will be the target for the midfielders, such as Sulley Muntari who had an amazing season with Internazionale as they went on to win the Champions League.

My Prediction: Second Round loss to England.