FIFA World Cup 2010 - Cameroon 1-2 Denmark: Indomitable Lions First Team to get Eliminated
For quite a while it seemed as though this game would end in a draw, but Denmark surprised the world and broke the hearts of all Ghana fans with their miraculous second goal, which ensured that Ghana would not have a place in the round of 16. The African team has become the first team to be knocked out of the 2010 World Cup.
The game showed both teams fight hard and in the process, let go of many chances to score goals. The Indomitable Lions were undoubtedly the most extravagant, particularly after they fell behind and chased the goal that they so desperately needed.
Fans witnessed a great show from the Danish keeper, Thomas Sorensen, who superbly denied Achille Emana, while substitute Vincent Aboubakar had a goal-bound effort blocked by Christian Poulsen in the closing stages. Denmark has qualified from the group stage at all three previous World Cup appearances and under the leadership of Morten Olsen, the team will face Japan in their final game, and if they find victory here, this will take them into the next round. And the result also ensured that the Netherlands - 1-0 winners over Japan earlier in the day - will qualify from Group E.
It did not look as though the experienced Danish players would leave the game with 3 very important points, when Cameroon tore into them in the opening minutes. The African side had taken an early lead, but Nicklas Bendtner showed great conviction by scoring an equalizer from close range before veteran Dennis Rommedahl ghosted beyond substitute Jean Makoun after the break to leave Cameroon completely pointless after two games.
Cameroon were simply awful as they lost their opening match against Japan but in the minutes after kick-off on Saturday they looked strong, enthusiastic and focused. It really did seem for a while as though they would make something happen during this game. There had been much talk of a rebellion against the tactics of their Coach Paul Le Guen, particularly after Eto'o played on the right and Alex Song was left out altogether against the Japanese. But he was restored to the team’s midfield and had played really well; he could possibly have led the Danes to a victory during their earlier game with Japan if he was allowed to play.
The importance of this game was not only reflected by Ghanas desperate situation, but Denmark, who lost to the Netherlands in their opening match, were also very concerned as to the outcome of this match. They started nervously and gifted Eto'o his goal when Poulsen's awful square pass close to the edge of his own penalty area was intercepted by Pierre Webo. He slipped the ball to an unmarked Eto'o and the Cameroon skipper had time to shoot past Thomas Sorensen from 14 yards.
Denmark, with the likes of Jesper Gronkjaer, Jon Dahl Tomasson and Rommedahl playing behind Bendtner, simply could not keep hold of the ball during the opening 15 minutes, but they slowly edged their way back into the contest. Rommedahl and Gronkjaer had also both failed miserably to hit the target with shots from wide positions, but it would have been difficult for Bendtner to miss as he drew Denmark level after 32 minutes.
Both teams might have scored again before the break as some atrocious defending ensured the game became an increasingly enjoyable spectacle. The match continued to go back and forth weighing the advantage towards either team after the restart, with Sorenson tipping over a header from Stephane Mbia and Kjaer shooting inches over the crossbar.
But then a surprising swift Danish counter led to the game's next goal, with Rommedahl showing a burst of space to easily move past Jean Makoun before bashing the ball across Hamidou Souleymanou and into the bottom corner.
Denmark held their shape and worked really hard to maintain their lead, but they did suffer a huge blow late in the game when Kjaer picked up a booking that means he will miss the match against Japan. Even so, it was Olsen's team who were celebrating at the final whistle while Cameroon's only win since the 1990 World Cup remains a 1-0 victory over Saudi Arabia in 2002.
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