Denmark v Japan: match preview

Group E
Denmark v Japan
Royal Bafokeng Stadium, Rustenburg
Kick-off: Thu June 24, 7.30pm BST
The World Cup fates of Denmark and Japan could hinge on whether Danish striker Nicklas Bendtner is fit.
Bendtner has been bothered by a lingering groin injury, but Japan coach Takeshi Okada is expecting him to play and has been drilling his players on how to shut down the Arsenal striker.
Denmark make once change with Per Kroldrup replacing the suspended Simon Kjaer.
Meanwhile, Japan coach Takeshi Okada is expected to name the same starting line-up for the third consecutive match.

Touchline duel
Morten Olsen V Takeshi Okada: These are two experienced and intelligent men both capable of delivering their countries to the next stage.
Olsen has completed a decade as Denmark head coach at the finals in South Africa. He took the helm in 2000, guiding the Danes to the 2002 World Cup and Euro 2004.
Having returned to the Japan national side almost a decade after his players lost all three games at the 1998 World Cup, Okada at least has direct experience of the competition and is enjoying a better return,.
Talking tactics
Much depends on the fitness of Nicklas Bendtner.
If the Arsenal striker is fit – as everybody expects, he will lead the attack as a loan striker, supported by veterans such as Dennis Rommedahl and Jesper Gronkjaer.
Japan will hope that Tanaka, their Brazilian-born defender, maintains his form in the previous two games.
Key clash
Jon Dahl Tomasson v Daisuke Matsui: Tomasson is the old man of Danish football but his experience could prove invaluable.
Left-sided midfielder Matsui is one of Japan’s more creative players and will be a danger on the counter–attack, especially cutting in from the left towards goal.
What they say
Martin Olsen: "It's a decisive game and hopefully the first final for us. We know what to do. But it is difficult to score goals nowadays when you play defensive teams."
Takeshi Okada: “It would be ideal if we can overwhelm the opposition by 10 goals. But it won't be that easy. I think it's going to be a very close, fierce match.”
Teams
Denmark (4-2-3-1): Sorensen; Jacobsen, Kroldup, Agger, S Poulsen; C Poulsen, Jorgensen; Rommedahl, Tomasson, Gronkjaer; Bendtner
Japan (4-1-4-1): Kawashima; Komano, Tanaka, Nakazawa, Nagatomo; Abe; Matsui, Endo, Hasebe, Okubo; Honda
Referee: J Damon (South Africa)
Previous meetings
Played 1: Denmark 1, Draws 0, Japan 0
1971: (Copenhagen, friendly): Denmark 3 Japan 2
Fact: Japan have scored just nine goals in their 12 games in World Cup finals.
Prediction: Japan and Denmark are level on points but the former has a better goal difference so a draw will be enough. That is the probable outcome