Some random observations after the third group fixtures:

Cameroon 1-2 Netherlands: With neither team having anything to play for, pride was the only issue. The early game is largely played in the middle third as each team cautiously poked and prodded for openings. As the half progressed, the Dutch offense started switching field effectively and spreading Cameroon’s defense, resulting in an opportunity for striker Dirk Kuyt in the box, but he hit it wide. Robin Van Persie and Rafael Van der Vaart then performed a nifty give and go at the top of the box with Van der Vaart one-touching a through ball back to Van Persie bursting through the defense and then shooting through the goalie’s legs for the lead. The back end of the first half saw the Indomitable Lions picking up their pace and getting a few good openings, but were not able to convert. Midway in the second, Van der Vaart made a critical mistake throwing his arm up to block a free kick. Samuel Eto’o buried the resulting penalty shot. A short time later, the Dutch brought on superstar forward Arjen Robben for his first appearance after a hamstring injury just before the Cup. Robben looked a bit rusty, but stilled flashed some magic, beating a defender just outside the box and then bending a shot that hit the far post, but rebounded to Klaas-Jan Huntelaar for the winning goal. The Orange won all three of their group games, but without their usual offensive flair. If Robben is healthy, it will be interesting to see if their juggernaut offense returns to form.

Denmark 1-3 Japan: The only drama left in Group E is which one of these two will advance. Both teams pushed up-tempo from the start and created great opportunities that just missed. Japan drew first blood when Keisuke Honda looped a 35-yard free kick from the right flank into the far corner of the net. It was the best free kick goal of the tournament so far, looking first like it might hook to the near post before swerving to the far post. The Danish goalie never had a chance. The Blue Samurai repeated the feat a short while later when Yasuhito Endo curled a 25-yard free kick around the wall and just inside the right post. The Japanese duped the Danes on the play by having Honda set up as if he was going to take the kick. Early in the second half, Danish goalie Thomas Sorensen nearly misplayed a long chip shot into the goal and was fortunate the ball found the post. A defensive miscue gave an excellent opportunity for veteran Danish striker Jon Dahl Tomasson at the 6-yard line, but he completely flubbed the shot attempt. The miscue aside, the Japanese defense was choking the box and the Danes could not penetrate. However, an elbow in the back and nice bit of acting got the Danes a penalty kick. Tomasson’s penalty shot was weak and blocked, but rebounded just far enough out of reach of the goalie that Tomasson was able to play it into the net. The Blue Samurai got the goal right back when Honda made a terrific back foot, reverse field move to beat a defender in the box and then laid the ball off to Shinji Okazaki all alone in front of the goal. Japan showed far more inventiveness, particularly on free kicks, and definitely earned their spot in the next round.

-amwoods13