June 14th Preview

Preview for Sunday June 14th 2010

 VERSUS

Time: 1330h

Match: Netherlands v Denmark (Group E)

Overview: The best team who have never won anything at the World Cup kick off today with massive expectations versus an always difficult opponent Denmark. The Danish might not have the tremendous talent of previous generations, but they certainly have a magnificent defence and can prove dangerous to anyone that faces them with their strict application of teamwork and wing play in a classic well-practiced 4-4-2 system. Will the Dutch manage to live up to the expectations? With Holland’s arch-rival Germany putting in an excellent performance last night, the pressure is on.

Venue: Johannesburg – Soccer City Stadium. The cursed vuvuzelas will  be blaring again as we go back to the same stadium that held the kick off game and opening concert. The cameras were a bit distant and there was too much long camera angles and too little close ups, I hope that gets improved. 

Capacity: 91141 People

Referee: Stephane Lannoy (France)

Country:France  

Date of Birth: 18.09.1969

Height: 185 cm

Occupation: Salesman

Mother tongue: French

Other languages: English

International since: 2006

First international: Spain-Croatia (07.06.2006)

Hobbies: Reading, cinema

Fondest memory: UEFA U-21 Championship Netherlands 2007

Analysis: Holland are still playing their highly entertaining attacking style after all these years. The tandem of Robben, van der Vaart, and Sneijder can leave any team dreaming jealously, but injuries and fatigue from difficult European seasons could take its toll. Holland have a lot of question marks defensively, and Stecklenburg the goalkeeper is just plain good at best.

Denmark are clear underdogs, but they are a team that is very well integrated, balanced and playing a simple but effective 4-4-2 system with attacking down the wings. Man of the Danish players played and graduated from the Dutch league, and they now their opponents well, probably well enough to know how to frustrate them... or more.

Form: 

Holland are on electric form having scored an impressive 24 goals in their pre-tournament friendlies. Too many friendlies perhaps, as star player Arjen Robben, already tired after the Champions League final injured himself performing a heel pass two weeks ago and is in doubtfull shape. Denmark’s form is questionable, and included a loss to tournament hosts South Africa in a friendly. But then again, friendlies don’t mean a thing.

Key Players: 

Wesley Sneijder deserves to be recognized as one of the best attacking midfielders in the world, but he rarely gets that credit. The Dutch number 10 was unwanted by Real Madrid last season and sold to Inter, where he was a key player in winning the triple crown of Seria A, Italian Cup and Champions League. If anyone can tame the shady ball being used in this tournament its him. His freekicks and play down the middle is very dangerous to opponents.

Simon Kjaer, Denmark’s defensive rock wearing number 3, is one of the most coveted young defenders playing in Europe. He has had two extraordinary seasons in Serie A, and his consistency partnering Liverpools Daniel Agger, number 4, is a major reason why Denmark qualified. If anyone can stop the Dutch from scoring its these two. Kjaer could be missing today through injury.

Danger Men:

Ibrahim Affelay, 20, can definitely fill in more than adequately if Robben happens to be injured. This young prodigy is fast, technical and very dangerous with unexpected, powerfull shots... in fact exactly like Robben, as both developed their skills with PSV Eindhoven and both have been trained to the same extraordinary standards.

Martin Jorgensen, Dennis Rommedahl and Jesper Gronkjaer. The three veterans have been at the center of the Danish team’s success over the years, and for Jorgie and Jesper this is certainly the final curtain call.  The three share the fact that they have been excellent wingers, and they are central to the Danish system of 4-4-2 in providing great service to the not-so-bad attackers and scoring an occasional goal themselves.

Playing style: Denmark attacks down the wings, and feeds its two hard-working target men in attack with exceptional crosses and through balls. They defend as a team, and work as a team. Not an easy opponent for anyone.

Holland invented “total football” in the 70s, it became the symbol of clubs like Barcelona and Ajax. They still practice it. Flood the opponent with skilled, hard working offensive play, wear them down, and just keep scoring.  This style also has a tendency to leave defences vulnerable, and Denmark is exactly the team to make life hard for Holland on their debut. 

Previous Matches:

Never played each other amazingly enough.

Most likely scenario:

The Dutch win but not convincingly. Something like 2-1.

A slight surprise would be:

A draw.

A real shocker would mean:

Denmark’s win.

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 VERSUS

Time: 1600h

Match: Japan v. Cameroon (Group E)

Overview: A clash of civilizations, Cameroon would be the favourites if not for their poor form. The Japanese have some good players, but have looked very, very shaky over the past two years. This game is the key three-pointer in the group for both teams, a loss would seriously hurt their chances for the next round.

Venue: Mangaung/Bloomfoentain – Free State Stadium – The City of Roses, as South Africa’s third city is known hosts this interesting encounter.  

Capacity: 48000 People

Referee: Olegario Benquerenca – His name means the “well-loved” – let’s see.

Country: Portugal  

Date of Birth: 18.10.1969

Height: 184 cm

Occupation: Professionnel d'Assurance

Mother tongue: Portuguese

Other languages: French, English, Spanish

International since: 2001

First international: Spain-Paraguay (07.06.2002)

Hobbies: Music, singing, racing cars

Fondest memory: FIFA U-17 World Cup Korea 2007

Analysis: Cameroon are on a poor run, but their physical abilities will pose a significant threat to the Japanese team. On the other hand, work ethic is something the Japanese team doesn’t lack, and with the addition of a really brilliant player in Keisuke Honda to the team, this game could have some surprises.

Form: 

Cameroon underperformed at the African Cup of Nations, but not badly enough to have Paul Le Guen the coach removed. They are still a dangerous team, even more dangerous if double Champions League winner Samuel Eto’o finally starts playing well for his team.

Key Players: 

Samuel Eto’o, 9, sold by Champions League winner Barcelona only to go on an win the trophy again with his new team Inter. This clever, good natured forward has just not performed for Cameroon at major tournaments.  If he is at the top of his game, he is unstoppable.

Keisuke Honda, 18, was a real star in Holland with my friend’s hometown team VVV Venlo, before moving to CSKA Moscow and putting in some excellent performances. This attacking midfielder is growing into what might be Japan’s greatest player yet, but the World Cup is definitely the place to prove that.  His runs, dribbles, freekicks and scoring ability are truly impressive... although the the Japanese team has a lot of problems and he might not be able to show that yet.

Danger Men:

Achille Emana, Cameroon’s no.10 is exactly the player who Japan might just be incapable of coping with, as his speed, power and physical strength allow him to simply run down the middle of the pitch and score.]

Shunsuke Nakamura, Japan’s no.10 has been a great and important player with Celtic, but after his move to Spain his form dropped, and he appears to be a shadow of himself. Will he rediscover his goal scoring and passing abilities in South Africa?

Previous Matches:

The teams have played three competitive matches, and surprisingly Japan has won 2 and 1 was a draw.  Even more surprisingly Japan scored all 4 goals and Cameroon none.

Most likely scenario:

Cameroon edge Japan 3-2.

A slight surprise would be:

Japan edge Cameroon 2-1

A real shocker would mean:

If Japan were to clearly beat Cameroon.

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 VERSUS

Time: 2030h

Match: Italy v. Paraguay (Group F)

Overview: The defending champions Italy face one of the best team’s in South America during qualification for their opening match. Paraguay are without a key player Salvador Cabanas, who was shot in the head last December and will  be supporting the team symbolically, and possibly without injured talent Oscar Cardozo, a tall forward who is exploding in ability. Italy might be missing Andrea Pirlo, the World Cup winner through injury.

Venue: Cape Town – Green Point Stadium – this beautifull stadium on the sea was the setting for France-Uruguay and will be hosting this exciting match. 

Capacity: 69070 People 

Referee: Benito Achundia (Mexico)

Country:Mexico  

Date of Birth: 21.03.1966

Height: 170 cm

Occupation: Lawyer and economist

Mother tongue: Spanish

Other languages: English

International since: 1993

First international: USA-Greece (28.05.1994)

Hobbies: Playing football, physical training, playing video games, reading

Fondest memory: Friends made during tournaments

Analysis:  Italy are always a strong team, but they often start their tournaments weakly. Paraguay are a true force in attack and defense, even though they have been very unlucky with hard to replace injuries. An interesting figure is new recruit for the National Team Lucas Barrios, who has had an exceptional season with Borussia Dortmund in Germany. Lippi might be leaving Serie A top scorer Antonio Di Natale on the bench.

Form: 

Neither team is in good form, with Paraguay having played a lot of friendly games and having done slightly better than Italy.

Key Players: 

Justo Villar, 1, the Paraguayan goalkeeper, long a star in the Argentine League, has been a key figure in qualification. His shot stopping ability and command of his defensive players is slightly reminiscent of the famous Chilavert who once was such a figure in France 1998. If he can put in a performance against Italy Paraguay have a genuine chance.

Fabio Cannavaro, 5, the player who was man-of-the tournament and lifted the World Cup trophy is not the same anymore. He had a miserable season with Juventus, and moved to the Qatari league in May. Italian fans are sceptical as to wether he is not too old and slow to play well in South Africa. The fact doesn’t change that Fabio is still one of the best defenders in the World, slow or not.

Danger Men:

Lucas Barrios, 19, was drafted into the Paraguayan team thanks to his Paraguayan mother in April, and started scoring bags of goals, like has been doing in the Chilean League, then the Bundesliga, and now wearing the white, blue and red stripes of Paraguay. His speed, and runs, along with his determination make him a classically dangerous South American forward.

Daniele de Rossi, 6, famously sent off the previous World Cup, he has matured as a player with Roma, and if Italy are to do well this World Cup, much of the responsibility is shouldered by De Rossi. His defensive abilities in midfield, combined with his eye for goal are key to the Azurri.

Previous Matches:

Italy have won both of the matches between these teams outscoring Paraguay 5-1.

Most likely scenario:

Italy win by a small margin, like 2-1.

A slight surprise would be:

Paraguay manage a 1-1 draw.

A real shocker would mean:

Paraguay humble the champions 2-0.

Recommended Menu for the day:

Lots of fish today, as Group E is the fish Group.

For lunch a feast of Japanese Sushi and Dutch and Danish Herring, combined with Cameroon’s shrimp.

Since Italy’s form is something unknown as Green Pesto Spaghetti has to accompany the dinner. If that is not enough carbohydrates Paraguayan Empanadas are in order for the second course.

All of this should be washed down with Danish beer, just to make sure the seafood has something to swim in.

Fresh Basil Pesto Recipe

INGREDIENTS

• 2 cups fresh basil leaves, packed
• 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan-Reggiano or Romano cheese
• 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 1/3 cup pine nuts or walnuts
• 3 medium sized garlic cloves, minced
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

• Special equipment needed: A food processor (Check Amazon.com's sales on Cuisinart food processors)

METHOD

1 Combine the basil in with the pine nuts, pulse a few times in a food processor. (If you are using walnuts instead of pine nuts and they are not already chopped, pulse them a few times first, before adding the basil.) Add the garlic, pulse a few times more.

2 Slowly add the olive oil in a constant stream while the food processor is on. Stop to scrape down the sides of the food processor with a rubber spatula. Add the grated cheese and pulse again until blended. Add a pinch of salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.

Makes 1 cup.

Serve with pasta, or over baked potatoes, or spread over toasted baguette slices.