FIFA World Cup 2010: Cameroon Vs Denmark do or die clash for both Cameroon and Denmark
Cameroon and Denmark will be facing each other in a vital Group E match at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium, Pretoria on Saturday June 19 2010. An attacking approach on both sides is vital to the game, if they wish to maintain their hopes of qualification.
A defeat would result in elimination of either team. Even a draw could be a disastrous result for them. Both teams will enter the stadium with one thing in mind-‘Victory’.
Both teams lost their opening matches, where Cameroon lost to Japan, and the Netherlands defeated Denmark. They will be approaching the match with more aggression it is anticipated. Cameroon midfielder Enoh Eyong Takang believes that Cameroon team are capable of beating Danish in a crunch game. He said, “It really is a do-or-die game. We must win it if we want a chance to progress. We have to get the strike force going. We will have to score on Saturday.”
Despite dominating possession throughout the match against Japan, Cameroon failed to score any goals. The reason for their ineffective play was the decision by Cameroon’s coach Paul Le Guen, to play Samuel Eto’o in a wide right position. Eto’o looked almost impotent throughout the match, as he failed to create any chances for his team. Even Eto’o was unhappy with his coach’s tactical decision. According to him, Le Guen should be answerable to the fact that why his team was unable to beat one of weakest teams of the tournament.
Talking to French TV channel Canal Plus, Inter Milan striker Eto’o said, “At the end of the World Cup, Paul must answer to the officials. And me, as a player and captain, I must do the same. I played where the coach wanted. I gave it everything and I tried to put my team-mates in good positions to do their job.”
Le Guen wanted to replicate Jose Mourinho’s strategy of playing Eto’o on the wide right position in Inter Milan. But it is hard to understand why Le Guen opted for such a formation, when he knows that unlike Inter, Cameroon have many limitations of quality. Commenting on his position in the match against Cameroon, Eto’o said, “I am the best scorer in the history of the Cameroon national team because I play in a central position.”
Cameroon is also facing problems in their defence. According to Cameroon’s defender Nicolas Nkoulou, his team needs to put effort in the defence as well. He said, “We lost a battle but not the war. Everyone’s behind us. It’s important to react on the pitch. We’re not very happy with the number of goals we’ve conceded (eight in the last three games). We’ll do all we can to perform better come Saturday.”
On the other hand, Denmark is confident about their African opponents, given the recent performance the host nation has shown. Danish coach Morten Olsen is optimistic that his team will overcome their opponents. Talking to the media, he said, “We still have two important games.” He is hoping to capitalize on talent of Arsenal striker Nicolas Bendtner in this crucial match. Talking about Bendtner’s performance in the last match, he said, “He couldn’t play any more, what we saw was fine and he will play again.”
In other Group E match, Netherlands will be pitted against Japan. Unlike Cameroon and Denmark, they will be playing for the objective of topping the group. Netherlands gave a convincing performance against Danish when they won the match 2-0. Dutch coach Bert Van Marwijk, is hopeful that his team would produce another solid performance. He said, “Now the players are more relaxed and less nervous after their opening game I expect a better performance against Japan. He further put emphasis on the fact that the opening game in a tournament is always more demanding, and while their first-half performance was not up to the standard, they have addressed their shortcomings in last weeks training.
However, they are still without their ace winger Arjen Robben, after he injured himself during their World Cup warm up match against Hungary. Talking about Robben, Marwijk said, “He is coming along well, but he is not yet ready to play for an entire game and it could be another eight days. I have to talk with our medical staff about Arjen, but I wouldn’t expect him to be at his top until next week.”
Denmark have always qualified to the knockout stages in their previous World Cup participations (1986, 1998 and 2002.) While the Cameroon have won just one of their 11 World Cup encounters against European sides. Both teams however, are well aware of the fact that a defeat in their second game of the group stages could spell the end of their interest in this year's tournament.
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