Match by Match Reports
Group A | Group B | Group C | Group D | Group E | Group F | Group G | Group H | Knock Out Stages
Japan turned out to be the surprise package in this group, their defenders proving less generous than they were against England in their warm up game. Much fancied Cameroon lost all three of their games and were very disappointing.
2006 | World Cup Index | 2014
Netherlands
Denmark
An own goal by Simon Poulson fifty seconds into the second half and a close range strike by Dirk Kuyt after Elia's flick bounced off the post with six minutes left were enough for a workmanlike Dutch side to see off Denmark. The Netherlands showed little of the free-flowing football expected of them although Eljero Elia, who came on in the 69th minute, injected pace and creativity on the wing.
Japan
Thirty-eight minutes into a dull first half, Japan took a surprise lead when Cameroon's defenders failed to clear an in swinging cross from Daisuke Matsui leaving the unmarked Keisuke Honda a simple tap in at the far post.
Japan defended with discipline as Cameroon sought the equaliser in the second half but the African side lacked passion and, with Eto'o stuck out on the right wing, their strikers just did not look sharp enough.
Netherlands
Japan
Buoyed up by their previous win against Cameroon, Japan proved tough opposition for the Dutch and in the first half stifled their opponents in midfield. Wesley Sneijder broke the deadlock in the 52nd minutes with a powerful drive from just outside the penalty area. Japan responded by going forward searching for an equaliser and might have done it: Shinji Okazaki blasted over from ten yards in the 89th minute and seconds later, Japan had an appeal for a penalty turned down. Cameroon's defeat later that day meant the Netherlands qualified for the next round.
Cameroon
Denmark
In a match full of incident and attacking football, in which both sides squandered chances, Cameroon took the lead after just ten minutes. Nicklas Bendtner equalised from close range just after half an hour had been played and in the second half, Denmark took the lead through Rommedahl. This result meant that Cameroon could not now go forward into the knock-out stages.
Denmark
Japan
Playing with confidence and authority, Japan took the game to Denmark and were rewarded with two goals, both from free-kicks, in the first half. Tomasson pulled one back with nine minutes left to give them faint hope (only a win would ensure they went forward) but five minutes later Honda skipped his way into the Danish penalty area before laying the ball off for Okazaki to tap the ball into an empty goal. Japan finished as runners-up in Group E, qualifying for the second round for the first time on foreign soil.
Cameroon
Netherlands
Cameroon were already eliminated going into this game but drew on their pride to put up a spirited display against a strong Dutch team. Van Persie gave the Netherlands the lead just after half an hour but Eto'o leveled the score after 65 minutes with a penalty. Cameroon pressed forward but in the 83rd minute they were caught by a quick Dutch counter-attack, Huntelaar firing into an empty net after Robben's effort came back off the post. Netherlands finished top of the group with a 100% winning record.
Match by Match Reports
Group A | Group B | Group C | Group D | Group E | Group F | Group G | Group H | Knock Out Stages