What to Expect: GROUP E

Netherlands:
Games: vs. Denmark (June 14, Soccer City, Johannesburg); vs. Japan (June 19, Moses Mabhida, Durban); vs. Cameroon (June 24, Green Point, Cape Town)

How they qualified: In group 9 of European qualifying, the Netherlands didn't have a bad mark. Going 8-0 while only conceding two goals in eight games, they managed only 17 of their own. The Dutch seem to be headed in the right direction for next summer. They hope to become more prolific on the offensive end in South Africa.

World Cup History: Netherlands has finished second at the finals twice, first in 1974, and again in 1978. This will be their 9th World Cup appearance. Considered an underachiever in international football, the Dutch have always dazzled their fans but not lived up to their own expectations. In the 70s, after disappearing from the World Cup scene for over 30 years, Johan Cruyff became a legend as the Dutch reached the finals in 1974. Since 1978, they have reached the Semi-finals only once.

Player to Watch: Rafael Van Der Vaart has had trouble playing for Real Madrid in La Liga. His Versatility and creative abilities from any part of the midfield still make him one of the most important players for the Dutch in South Africa. Look out for him vying for first team minutes for Real Madrid or to ask for a move this January to prepare for the World Cup. With minutes lacking for Real Madrid, Van Der Vaart could even be fighting to make the roster.

Prediction: 1-1-1, 2nd place in group play, advance and lose to Italy in round of 16

Denmark:
Games: vs. Netherlands (June 14, Soccer City, Johannesburg); vs. Cameroon (June 19, Loftus Versfeld, Tshwane/Pretoria); vs. Japan (June 24, Royal Bafokeng, Rustenburg)
How they qualified: Denmark won their difficult European qualifying group, followed by Portugal and Sweden. With a record of 6-1-3, they finished two points ahead of the powerful Portuguese. They took both games from Sweden and solidified their spot in the the World Cup with a 3-2 comeback victory against Portugal in September. Their only blemish, a 1-0 loss to Hungary, came in their final qualifying game, after they had already sealed their spot in South Africa.

World Cup History: This will only be Denmark's 4th World Cup appearance. Having qualified for the first time in 1986, Denmark has played in two of the previous three. In 1998, they made it to the quarterfinals where they lost to Brazil. In their two other appearances they managed to advance out of group play just to lose in the round of 16.

Player to Watch: Daniel Agger, a defense-man for Liverpool of the English Premier League, is a heady defender with a propensity for winning hard tackles and moving forward with his powerful left foot. He had a great qualifying campaign for Denmark, and if he is able to stay healthy, he could become an uncompromising defender for Liverpool on a consistent basis.

Prediction: 2-1, lose to Brazil in quarterfinals

Japan:
Games: vs. Cameroon (June 14, Free State, Mangaung/Bloemfontein); vs. Netherlands (June 19, Moses Mabhida, Durban); vs. Denmark (June 24, Royal Bafokeng, Rustenburg)

How they qualified: In the final round of Asian qualifying, Japan came in second in group A behind a dominating Australian team. Though they came in second in the final stage of qualifying, it was a relatively easy road to South Africa. Even with new coach Takeshi Okada being questioned on the teams inability to find the back of the net, Japan moved on.
World Cup History: Japan will be making its 4th consecutive World Cup, in fact, its 4th ever. In 1998 and 2006, they failed to make it out of group play. In 2002, they had their best showing but failed to advance past the round of 16. They were co-hosts with South Korea in '02 when they put on quite an unexpected display for their fans.

Player to Watch: Marcus Tulio Tanaka is a star in the Japanese J League where he plays for the Urawa Red Diamonds. In the 2008/2009 season, he scored 11 goals in 8 games played. Tulio is one quarter Japanese and was born in Sao Paulo, Brazil. A big, strong athlete, Tulio also possesses the ability of great ball skills and the ability to maintain a flow from the defensive to offensive third. Tulio expects to impress in South Africa next summer, so don't be surprised if you see some major European football clubs calling his name very soon.

Prediction: 0-1-2, do not advance

Cameroon:
Games: vs. Japan (June 14, Free State, Mangaung/Bloemfontein); vs. Denmark (June 19, Loftus Versfeld, Tshwane/Pretoria); vs. Netherlands (June 24, Green Point, Cape Town)

How they qualified: Cameroon was up and down throughout qualifying. They dominated early round play and looked like they were easily headed for South Africa. With a loss and a tie to start final round qualifying, they were forced to win 4 straight games in order to win the group. One thing that was not lacking consistency was the play from Samuel Eto'o. A 2-0 victory over Morocco on the road secured their spot next summer.

World Cup History: This will be Cameroon's sixth appearance at the World Cup. From 1990 until 2002, they qualified for 4 straight, but failed to make it to Germany in 2006. Except for a quarterfinals berth in 1990, Cameroon has failed to get out of the group stage every single time.

Player to Watch: Samuel Eto'o is one of the best strikers in the world and led Cameroon throughout African qualifying as a leader and as a goal scorer with nine goals. Currently playing for Internazionale of Italian Serie A, Eto'o has the speed, ball skill, and striking accuracy to score from any part of the field at any point of the game. Last season, playing for Barcelona FC of the Spanish Premier Division, he scored 30 goals in 36 games.

Prediction: 1-1-1, do not advance from group play