World Cup: A preview of Saturday’s matches
GROUP E
Netherlands vs. Japan
Where: Moses Mabhida Stadium, Durban. Time: 4:30 a.m. PDT
TV: ESPN, ESPN Deportes, Univision; Radio: Sirius/XM, KLYY-FM 97.5 and KDLD-FM 103.1.
The buzz: The Dutch won their opening game, 2-0, over Denmark but were not overly impressive in doing so. The Japanese also won their first game, 1-0, over Cameroon, and that was a real surprise. If the Netherlands can keep Keisuke Honda contained, it should win without undue difficulty. Japan played the Dutch even for an hour in a friendly in the Netherlands last year, but eventually lost, 3-0. Coach Takeshi Okada has abandoned the idea of trying to match skills with opponents of higher pedigree — the Netherlands is ranked fourth in the world to Japan’s 45th — and is emphasizing defense. “It doesn’t matter what anyone thinks, I have to pick players who are going to win us three points,” he told Japan’s Kyodo news agency. Bert van Marwijk, the Dutch coach, is expected to stick with the same starting lineup, using winger Eljero Elia off the bench and not using winger Arjen Robben at all while he recovers from a left hamstring injury.
— Grahame L. Jones
GROUP D
Ghana vs. Australia
Where: Rustenburg. Time: 7 a.m. PDT.
TV: ESPN, ESPN Deportes, Univision. Radio: Sirius/XM, KLYY-FM 97.5, KDLD-FM/KDLE-FM 103.1.
The buzz: Ghana can all but clinch a berth in the second round with a win over the hapless Socceroos, who were routed by Germany in their opener. And the Australians were all full strength in that one. Against Ghana, needing a win to have any hope of advancing, Australia Coach Pim Verbeek will be without midfielder Tim Cahill, who earned a one-game suspension for a red card in the opening loss. This would be a good match for Ghana to get its offense on track because the Black Stars have scored more than one goal in a game just once this year. Asamoah Gyan was active in Ghana’s opening win over Serbia although his only score came on a penalty kick. Gyan could get some help from midfielder Sulley Muntari, who is recovered from a thigh problem and should be able to start.
— Kevin Baxter
GROUP E
Cameroon vs. Denmark
Where: Pretoria. Time: 11:30 a.m. PDT
TV: ABC, ESPN Deportes, Univision. Radio: Sirius/XM, KLYY-FM 97.5, KDLD-FM/KDLE-FM 103.1, KSPN-AM 710
The buzz: After opening the World Cup with losses, both teams need a win here if they hope to get beyond group play. But the situation is more dire for Cameroon, which faces the powerful Netherlands in its first-round finale. The Indomitable Lions, who haven’t gotten out of the first round since their quarterfinal run in 1990, also have continental pride at stake. This was supposed to be Africa’s World Cup but through the first eight days of the tournament, the continent’s six teams have combined for one victory. The play of captain Samuel Eto’o, Cameroon’s all-time leading scorer, will be key if the Lions are to have a chance. The counterattacking Danes, meanwhile, will try to hold the line in the middle of the field and feed the ball to the hulking Nicklas Bendtner, their lone striker. Denmark managed just three shots in its loss to Japan. It will have to do better than that Saturday.
— Kevin Baxter
