This week, as we continue our coverage of the World Cup, we take a look at group E. This is possibly one of the most interesting groups as each of the teams can go through to the next round. None of these teams have ever won the World Cup, but each of them possess the distinct qualities to be threats if all goes well.

Japan

Brief History: Japan’s first appearance in the World Cup was in 1998. The team was drawn in the same group as Jamaica, and lost all their matches, including a 2-1 defeat from the Reggae Boyz. Since then, The Samurai Blues have gone on to make every World Cup and have also been joint hosts with South Korea in 2002.

Appearances: This is Japan’s fourth consecutive appearance in the World Cup.

World Cup wins: Japan have never won the World Cup.

How they made it: Losing only to Australia in the final qualifying round, This Japanese team stamped their class on the other competitors (Bahrain, Qatar, Uzbekistan) to show why this team on one that is on the rise.

Key Players: Keisuke Honda, Shunsuke Nakamura

Coach: Takeshi Okada

Strengths: With the likes of Nakamura and Honda, the Japanese have a potent attacking contingent and will rely on them to take the team as far as possible.

Weaknesses: The Japanese, however, possess a below par defensive line-up and in a group with such clinical strikers, it could prove detrimental.

Expected Finish: Second place in the group is a reasonable goal for the Asians to strive towards. Their sojourn in Africa, however, most likely ends at the second round.

Cameroon

Brief History: ‘The Indomitable Lions’ of Cameroon are historically one of Africa’s most deadly teams. Africa’s most successful team, Cameroon boasts more World Cup appearances and African Nations’ Cup titles than any other team on the continent. They were also Gold medal winners at the 2000 Olympic Games.

World Cup Appearances: Cameroon has made the World Cup six times before.

World Cup Wins: Cameroon have never won the World Cup. Their best finish was in the quarterfinals in 1990 where they lost to England.

How they made it: Cameroon qualified after four straight wins in the final group qualifier. They recovered from a slow start of two straight draws to beat Gabon twice and Togo and Morrocco once each. This was enough to see them through.

Key Players: Alexander Song (Arsenal FC), Samuel Eto’o (Inter Milan)

Coach: Paul Le Guen

Strengths: Cameroon’s strength lies in the deadly skills of captain and striker Samuel Eto’o. His prowess in front of goal has made him one of the most feared strikers in the game today. For Cameroon to have any success, he will need to be firing on all cylinders.

Weaknesses: Even with the likes of Song in their back four, Cameroon is still woefully lacking in their defensive set-up. The Lions did have an impressive record in the qualifying, but wil be facing much more deadly opponents this time around. As a result, this could be their downfall.

Expected finish: Like most other of the teams in this group, second place in the group is a reasonable assumption.

Netherlands

Confederation: UEFA

FIFA Ranking (Dec 09): 3

Brief History: The Netherlands has impressed the world with their philosophy of total football and though it may come as a surprise, the Dutch has failed to qualify for the World Cup before. They have come close, however, losing in two consecutive finals. The 1974 side was probably the strongest team ever not to win the World Cup together with Hungary in 1954. The Dutch has always promised much, but there is the feeling that they a gross underachievers in World football. The Netherlands brought ‘total football’ to World Cup 1974 in the process dispatched Brazil and Argentina and finishing runners-up.

World Cup Appearances: The Netherlands has qualified for the World Cup eight times.

World Cup wins: The Dutch has never won the World Cup, but have come close finishing second in both the 1974 and 78 finals.

How they made it: The Dutch had a 100 per cent record in Group 9 and were virtually secured a spot in South Africa. They became the first European side to qualify for South Africa in June 2009, as they faced little competition from the likes of Scotland, Macedonia, Norway and Iceland. They scored a total of 17 goals in eight games.

Key players: Robin van Persie (Arsenal), Wesley Sneijder (Inter) and Arjen Robben (Bayern Munich).

Coach: Bert van Marwijk

Strengths: The offensive part of the Dutch team is very strong and can be considered world class. The technically brilliant players at they hold in their ranks are a big threat for every opponent.

Weaknesses: As with many offensive minded teams, the defence is always a point of discussion and this is no different for the Dutch. The team does not have an established pair of defenders at the back, as there are question marks on the players to partner Everton’s John Heitinga.

Expected finish: Realistically, the quarterfinals are a possibility for the team.

Denmark

Brief History: Denmark didn’t appear at the World Cup until 1986, this despite being one of the founding members FIFA. The highlight of Danish World Cup history was when the squad reached the quarter-finals of World Cup 98 where they lost narrowly out to Brazil.

World Cup appearances: The nation has only ever managed three appearances prior to South Africa and has always progressed beyond the group stages.

World Cup wins: The Danes have never won the World Cup and has only reached the quarter-finals once.

How they made it: A stunning last-gasp comeback to beat Portugal 3-2 set things in motion for Denmark, who lost only once to Hungary when qualification was assured. Progress was somewhat easy for the team in a seemingly tough group as they dispatched local rivals Sweden 1-0 both home and away. They finished with 21 points, loosing just once and conceding only 5 goals.

Key Players: Nicklas Bendtner (Arsenal), Thomas Sorensen (Stoke City) and Jakob Poulsen (AGF Aarhus)

Coach: Martin Olsen

Strengths: Denmark has a strong and collective midfield, which makes it hard for opponents to be able to play through the middle and get too close to their penalty area. They also possess wing threat and a scope for build-up play.

Weaknesses: Denmark’s main weakness is the shortage they have of strikers. As a result they normally play with a solitary striker, which is Bendter. But if, or when, he suffers injury, the pool to select from is sub-standard.

Expected finish: Their provisional target is to get beyond the group stage which they are capable of and then look to better their best finals showing. Realistically speaking, their dream could end in the second round.