Some random observations after the first group fixtures:

Netherlands 2-0 Denmark: Glad to see Rafael van der Vaart got the start; he’s much more creative than anybody Holland has. Neither one of these attacking sides was going to futz about spending lots of time in the midfield. Both teams were going to get their shots off and both penalties areas were going to be busy. Despite their passing and ball movement Denmark gave up the possession to Holland. While Holland was a bit more free flowing and proficient at combination play, Denmark did a better job of opening things up by switching play from side-to-side, making diagonal runs and finding open space. The Netherlands got their midfield involved a lot more this World Cup than last. Credit Sebastian Paulsen for an extremely well organized Danish midfield. Neither side was very good at set pieces. As much offense as we saw from both teams it is a little surprising that the first goal should happen on an own-goal. Much better attacking explosiveness from the Netherlands in the second half, grabbing the initiative from the start. Denmark seemed to have lost steam after halftime (this could have been a function of Holland closing down better), and they began to lose their cohesion defensively. Dutchman John Heitinga had a good game closing down the penalty area. Dirk Kuyt put the game beyond doubt in the 85th minute, poaching an Elia rebound. Deserving win by the Dutch.

Japan 1-0 Cameroon: Samuel Eto’o surely is one of the top 20 players in the world. The most effective attacking thrusts forward by Cameroon happened when Eto’o made things happen with his creativity and inventiveness, which would explain why he isn’t an out-and-out striker in front of goal for the Indomitable Lions. Lots of players behind the ball for Japan, and they did not wilt on 50-50 balls. Japan’s fullbacks were able to get forward at times on the flanks, but getting the ball in the center of the field and especially in the box presented problems. Lack of a midfield general made getting the ball to the front three players for Cameroon problematic. Both teams doing a lot of passing but not really going anywhere. Not much for either side’s forwards to do in the first half. Cameroon’s defense seemed to lack cohesion, and Japan picked up on that, so the Blue Samurai played cautiously in attack, hoping to get Cameroon’s backline to make a fatal mistake. It happened in the 39th minute, when Matsui sent a long cross behind a sleeping Cameroon backline that Honda got on the end of and one-timed into goal. Having gotten on top, in the second half Japan was less adventuresome going forward, preferring to stay disciplined in the midfield and the back, but when they did get the ball they were very methodical going forward. Cameroon finally got forward through the center – although not with any attacking consistency – but Eto’o started to get into the center also, instead of waiting for service on the right flank. Referee was barely noticeable; very clean play by both teams. As Cameroon sent more players forward to try to get that goal back, they left their rearguard deeply vulnerable, resulting in quick Japanese counterattacks. Surprise yet very tactically methodical 3 points for Japan.

– daveydoug