Match preview: Denmark vs Japan

Group E

Denmark vs Japan
Royal Bafokeng Stadium, Rustenburg
Kick-off: Thu June 24, 7.30pm BST

The World Cup fates of Denmark and Japan could twist on whether Nicklas Bendtner Danish striker is fit. Denmark makes once change with Per Kroldrup replacing the suspended Simon Kjaer.

Japan coach Takeshi Okada is expecting him to play and has been drilling his players on how to shut down the Arsenal striker. Takeshi Okada is expected to name the same starting line-up for the third consecutive match.

They said

Takeshi Okada: “It would be perfect if we can overcome the opponent by 10 goals. But it won't be that simple. I think it's going to be a very fierce, close game.”

Martin Olsen: "It's a crucial game and expectantly the first final for us. We know what to do. But it is hard to score goals nowadays when you play defensive teams."

Teams

Denmark (4-2-3-1): Sorensen; Agger, Jacobsen, Kroldup, S Poulsen; Jorgensen, C Poulsen; Gronkjaer, Rommedahl, Tomasson; Bendtner

Japan (4-1-4-1): Kawashima; Komano, Nagatomo, Tanaka, Nakazawa; Abe; Hasebe, Endo, Okubo, Matsui; Honda

Referee: J Damon (South Africa)

Match preview: Cameroon vs Holland

Group E

Cameroon vs Holland
Green Point Stadium, Cape Town
Kick-off: Thu June 24, 7.30pm BST

Bert van Marwijk said: “I haven't looked at the next stage yet because the first match was the most essential. I take the match against Cameroon very critically because it is in that match that the team has to show that they have learned. We want to progress in every match.”

Samuel Eto’o said: “All my period was determined to be ready for this World Cup. It's the only thing I could think about, so it's hard. It's not easy for us to finish last."

Teams

Cameroon (4-4-2): Souleymanou (16); Mbia (19), Nkoulou (3), Bassong (5), Assou-Ekotto (2); A Song (6), Geremi (8), Enoh (18), Emana (10); Webo (15), Eto’o (9)

Holland (4-2-3-1): Stekelenburg (1); Boulahrouz (12), Heitinga (3), Mathijsen (4), Van Bronckhorst (5); Van Bommel (6), De Zeeuw (14); Kuyt (7), Babel (19), Afellay (20); Huntelaar (21).

Referee: Pablo Pozo (Chile)

Match Preview: Slovakia vs Italy

Group F

Slovakia v Italy
Ellis Park Stadium, Johannesburg
Kick-off: Thu June 24, 3pm BST

Italy, after two draws, are reasonably sweating for the defence of their title, even if they can be pleased by the grand tradition of being slow starters at World Cups. Daniele De Rossi admits “We are worried”, but not worried enough to trust they will slip up in opposition to a side that were picked separately by Paraguay.

Slovakia may trench Kornel Salata, after his admittance of importance match stage fright in opposition to Paraguay. If Slovakia is harbouring any real goal, they must trust yet that through Stanislav Sestak and Robert Vittek.

They said

Wladimir Weiss: "We lost against Paraguay because we weren’t bold enough up front, so we require being more positive against Italy.”

Marcello Lippi: "Not the whole thing has gone well but we don't require seeing the glass half empty. Our World Cup could start here."

Teams

Slovakia (4-4-2): 1 Mucha; 2 Pekarik, 3 Skrtel, 17 Hamsik, 11 Vittek, 16 Durica, 4 Cech, 6 Strba, 7 Weiss, 15 Stoch; 9 Sestak
Italy (4-3-3): 5 Cannavaro, 4 Chiellini, 12 Marchetti, 19 Zambrotta, 3 Criscito; 6 De Rossi, 21 Pirlo, 22 Montolivo; 10 Di Natale, 9 Iaquinta, 20 Pazzini

Referee: TBC.