World Cup 2010 Preview: Cameroon - Denmark

Already Concerned

Cameroon may have thrilled the world when they progressed through to the quarter-finals of Italia ’90, but since their breakthrough competition, the African side have failed to match such heights, and unless they record a victory against Denmark on Saturday are set for another campaign of disappointment.

Paul Le Guen’s side started the World Cup in a relatively upbeat mood, despite a build-up marred by a dispute between key player Samuel Eto’o and the great Roger Milla, the oldest scorer in World Cup history but a player long since retired. Eto’o threatened to quit the squad but ultimately chose to stay.

During the opening fixture against Japan he must have questioned his decision. Played out on the right wing against the Samurai Blue, the Inter forward was very much a marginal figure in a game in which the Indomitable Lions looked well off the offensive pace. Despite controlling much of the ball, Cameroon rarely posed their Asian rivals any threat and were hit with a sucker-punch goal just before the break that came about due to shoddy defending.

With group favourites Netherlands to come in their final encounter, even a point in this fixture wouldn’t leave Le Guen’s men in a healthy position to progress. If Cameroon are to negotiate the group stage successfully for the first time in 20 years, they therefore have to go all out for the win.

Cold Shower

Denmark are also former quarter-finalists at the World Cup finals, having progressed to the last eight of the competition as recently as 1998, when they were finally ousted by Brazil.

Though the Danes still command some top level talent, they are no longer at their former height, and even moving into the last 16 would have to be considered something of a success for Morten Olsen’s squad.

Nicknamed Danish Dynamite, they showed very little explosive or exciting qualities in their opening game against the Netherlands. For 45 minutes the Olsen-Banden produced a solid defensive performance, keeping the Dutch away from Thomas Sorensen’s goal, but a moment of madness from Simon Poulsen in the first minute of the second half saw the AZ defender put through his own goal. Denmark lost 2-0 and that incident, which Olsen later described as a “bucket of cold water over our heads”, was certainly the turning point.

“I think the team and myself played a good first half,” Poulsen lamented after the match to the PA.

“I have thought about it a thousand times.”

Yet there is very definitely still hope for the Europeans, who still have a 31.3 per cent chance of finishing second in Group E, according to the Castrol World Cup Group Predictor. Fixtures against Cameroon and Japan should not prove entirely outside of their comfort zone, and if Nicklas Bendtner can fire, there is a very definite chance that the Danes can extend their perfect record of progressing through the group stages at the World Cup to five out of five.

TEAM NEWS

Cameroon

Though there are no chronic injury worries in the Cameroon ranks, there is certainly potential for change. Alex Song will likely come into the midfield after being replaced by youngster Joel Matip in the opening game, while Achille Emana could be involved in a more offensive role.

Goalkeeper Carlos Kameni was dropped, with Hamidou Souleymanou instead taking his place. It would be a big risk changing custodian so early in the tournament, and also an admission from Le Guen that he was wrong to select the Kayserispor shot-stopper in the first place.

Probable Starting XI: Souleymanou; Mbia, Bassong, Nkoulou, Assou-Ekotto; Song, Makoun, Enoh; Emana, Eto’o, Webo

Denmark

Nicklas Bendtner was withdrawn after an hour of the Danes' opening match with the Netherlands and has missed training sessions since due to injury. The Arsenal striker, who is said to be struggling to get used to the altitude, is by no means certain to start the match. Soren Larsen could take his place.

Morten Olsen will otherwise select his side along the same parameters as in the opening game.

Probable Starting XI: Sorensen; L. Jacobsen, Kjaer, Agger, S. Poulsen; C. Poulsen; Rommedahl, M. Jorgensen, Kahlenberg, Enevoldsen; Bendtner

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Cameroon

Samuel Eto’o simply has to come good in this game, else Cameroon will be in grave danger of an early exit. The striker is his nation’s most recognisable player but after a difficult build-up he has yet to show his true offensive abilities. Has come in for criticism, but will find it tough to answer such questions if he is once more stuck in the team as almost an orthodox right winger.

Denmark

Thomas Kahlenberg will have a key role to play for the Danish Dynamite. The Wolfsburg midfielder will be expected to flood forward from his position in the centre of the pitch to regularly support his forward player. The former Auxerre man has not enjoyed the greatest season at club level and will now have to sparkle on the big stage.


PREDICTION

It’s crunch time for the Indomitable Lions, but the Danes cannot afford to lose this encounter either. For the African side it’s imperative they pick up three points, but Paul Le Guen’s frankly baffling tactical decisions during the first game suggest that is too much to ask. He has shown himself to be stubborn in the past, and that will only benefit Denmark on this occasion.


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