Group E: Cameroon v Netherlands preview
Winning games when not playing well, it’s a sign of a good team.
Netherlands have done just that so far in South Africa.
Unconvincing wins against Denmark and Japan have cemented the Dutch’s place in the last 16, and the top spot will be theirs as long as they avoid defeat against basement boys Cameroon.
Bayern Munich star Arjen Robben could make his return to the Dutch team for the game. Robben has not played since sustaining a small tear in his hamstring during a warm-up match for the World Cup and coach Bert van Marwijk has said he will leave the decision to the player himself whether he plays.
"I am going to leave him to make the decision,” he said.
“He knows his own body best and he will let me know when he is ready. It can be in the next game or it can be in the knockout phase. He must take the decision. I'd prefer that he is used only when he is fit."
And, according to the winger, he is more than ready to kick-start his World Cup campaign.
Robben revealed: “These last few days I have trained normally without any problems. Now I feel like I need to play a game to rediscover my rhythm.”
Van Mawijk has also revealed he may rest a couple of the Dutch first string, with Wesley Sneijder, Dirk Kuyt and Mark van Bommell all possibly being dropped to the bench.
Cameroon, meanwhile, have only pride to play for following two losses in their two games.
It has been a disappointing World Cup so far for the African nations, and Paul le Guen will be looking towards his players, especially star striker Samuel Eto’o, to bring some much-needed cheer for the host continent.
Eto’o, despite scoring against Denmark in the previous game, has been the focus of much criticism for his performances for his country, and he has spoken about the disappointment of this campaign.
“All my season was focused to be ready for this World Cup," Eto’o told allafrica.com.
"It's the only thing I could think about. It's hard. It's not normal for us to finish last."
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