Do or Die: Groups E-H
Do or Die: Groups E-H
By Gordon Fleetwood, New York City
Group E
1. Netherlands (P: 6 GF: 3 GA: 0 GD: 3)
2. Japan (P: 3 GF: 1 GA: 1 GD: 0)
3. Denmark (P: 3 GF: 2 GA: 3 GD: -1)
4. Cameroon (P: 0 GF: 1 GA: 3 GD: -2)
The games
Denmark - Japan
Cameroon - Netherlands
The situation
As it stands, the Netherlands have already booked their place in the next round. The only detail left is whether they finish first or second in the group. The Dutch are top of the group with maximum points without playing well in their two games. The major issue being a lack of cohesion between their three attacking midfielders. The normal rotation that accompanies such a situation should see them perform at a higher level. A combination of two of Elia, Robben, or Afellay would be a better fit to flank Sneijder than the duo of Kuyt and Van der Vaart. Sneijder and co. face a Cameroonian team who only starting looking interested in the second half of their game against Denmark. It’s too little too late though, as the defeat to the Danes knocked them out of the tournament. That leaves Eto’o and his men with only their pride left to play for.
The other game has significantly higher stakes, as Japan and Demark face off for the chance to join the Netherlands in the next round. The Japanese find themselves only needing a draw to progress. With this in mind, defense should be the first order of business while looking to attack on the counter. The incentive is on Denmark to come out and attack to get the win. It’ll will be a daunting task for the Danes as Japan have looked a formidable defensive unit so far. The same cannot be said for the Danes, who -despite their superb central defensive partnership - have looked surprisingly shaky at times. This should be an exciting encounter.
The tactical perspective
In the less significant game, the Dutch 4-2-3-1 comes up against the Cameroonian 4-3-1-2. The Africans are at an immediate disadvantage. Their playmaker Emana will be constantly flanked by the Dutch double pivot of De Jong and van Bommel, severely restricting the space for him to operate in. Without Emana driving them forward, Cameroon are a significantly less potent team. The 4-3-1-2 is also a narrower formation than the 4-2-3-1 which means that if the Dutch use natural wide players, they will give Cameroon all sorts of problem down the wings. This applies particularly to the left, as the Cameroon’s version of the formation is tilted slightly to the right meaning that the left-back; Benoit Assou-Ekoto, is totally exposed. Given that Assou-Ekoto has been constantly caught out of position (the two goals conceded against Denmark were as a result of this), the situation looks even more worrisome. With all this - and taking Cameroons’s woeful finishing into consideration - a comfortable win for the Dutch seems to be on the cards.
