Wary: Holland coach Bert van Marwijk said his side's group was 'dangerous'
How Holland qualified for World Cup 2010: European Group 9 winners.
Manager: Bert van Marwijk
Captain: Giovanni van Bronckhorst
Premier League players: John Heitinga (Everton), Nigel de Jong (Manchester City), Dirk Kuyt (Liverpool), Ryan Babel (Liverpool), Robin van Persie (Arsenal).
"It is a dangerous group and we shouldn't underestimate any of our opponents," Holland coach Bert van Marwijk told NOS TV. "Denmark won their (qualifying) group with Portugal, Hungary and Sweden, so are a strong opponent."
"We recently beat Japan 3-0 in a friendly match, but it wasn't easy at all and the score was a bit flattering, while I consider Cameroon as one of the strongest three countries in Africa."
How Denmark qualified for World Cup 2010: European Group 1 winners.
Manager: Morten Olsen
Captain: Jon Dahl Tomasson
Premier League players: Thoma Sorensen (Stoke City), Lars Jacobsen (Blackburn Rovers), Daniel Agger (Liverpool), Nicklas Bendtner (Arsenal).
"We did not have the easiest qualifying competition because we suffered a lot with injuries and at one time had four of our most important players out with injury," Denmark coach Morten Olsen told reporters.
"I hope that by the time the World Cup starts, everyone will be fit and ready for action. The Dutch start as the favourites of course but Japan and Cameroon are not easy opponents either."
How Cameroon qualified for World Cup 2010: African Group A Winners.
Manager: Paul Le Guen
Captain: Samuel Eto'o
Premier League players: Benoît Assou-Ekotto (Tottenham Hotspur), Alexandre Song (Arsenal), Sébastien Bassong (Tottenham Hotspur).
Cameroon coach Paul le Guen said: "I suppose Denmark and Japan are clearly not as competitive as the Dutch but they all have potential and worth.
"With two European teams in our group we have a tough programme of matches. We must now get together to prepare.
"The way we finished our qualifying campaign gave us real confidence. Our advantage is now we play in the African Nations Cup (in January) and we can really put some good preparation together. I'm certain we can get second place in the group."
How Japan qualified for World Cup 2010: Asia, Group 1 Runners-up.
Manager: Takeshi Okada
Captain: Yuji Nakazawa
Premier League players: None.
"It will be the fourth World Cup finals for Japan and we are aiming for a top four spot. We don't intend to change our goal and we continue to aim for a top four spot," insisted Japan coach Takeshi Okada.
Years | Winners | Runner-up | Third place |
2006 | Italy | France | Germany |
2002 | Brazil | Germany | Turkey |
1998 | France | Brazil | Croatia |
1994 | Brazil | Italy | Sweden |
1990 | Germany | Argentina | Italy |
1986 | Argentina | Germany | France |
1982 | Italy | Germany | Poland |
1978 | Argentina | Holland | Brazil |
1974 | Germany | Holland | Poland |
1970 | Brazil | Italy | Germany |
1966 | England | Germany | Portugal |
1962 | Brazil | Czech | Chile |
1958 | Brazil | Sweden | France |
1954 | Germany | Hungary | Austria |
1950 | Uruguay | Brazil | Sweden |
1938 | Italy | Hungary | Brazil |
1934 | Italy | Czech | Germany |
1930 | Uruguay | Argentina | America |