Cameroon lost 1-0 to Japan and Denmark were beaten 2-0 by the Netherlands in their opening games on Monday and both sides and their chances desperately need a win to have a realistic hope of making the second round.
Cameroon’s players are especially unhappy because Le Guen omitted seasoned campaigners like Rigobert Song, Geremi and Alexandre Song from the game.
Meanwhile, despite losing to the Netherlands, Denmark are ready to capitalise on Cameroon’s woes. Down after the loss, goal-keeper Thomas Sorensen said the mood in their camp had remained upbeat.
Denmark have never lost to an African side at the World Cup but they are struggling with injuries and strikers Jon Dahl Tomasson and Mikkel Beckmann have had to train alone. The Danes have not scored in their last three matches and coach Morten Olsen is hoping striker Nicklas Bendtner, who played for just over an hour against the Dutch despite a groin problem, will be fit. Young defender Simon Kjaer and midfielder Daniel Jensen have trained with the team but they are also suffering with nagging injuries.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 19th, 2010.
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