Cameroon and Denmark seek quick response to defeats
June 18th, 2010 - 10:30 pm ICT by IANS
Pretoria, June 18 (DPA) Denmark are battling to get strikers Nicklas Bendtner and Jon Dahl Tomasson fit while Cameroon coach Paul Le Guen has been asked by his players to make changes for Saturday’s encounter in World Cup football.
Both teams are seeking to put defeats behind them to keep their hopes alive in the Group E match.
Bendtner believes he will be ready to start but the Arsenal striker admits he is not fully fit after struggling with a groin injury.
Bendtner played for an hour before being substituted in the 2-0 defeat to the Netherlands, after coach Morten Olsen took the risk of playing him for the injured Tomasson.
Bendtner did not take part in Denmark’s training session Thursday, and stayed at the players’ hotel for physiotherapy while Tomasson is still labouring with a hamstring injury.
Meanwhile Cameroon coach Le Guen has not revealed whether he will make changes to the team that lost 1-0 to Japan, but it is thought Arsenal midfielder Alexandre Song may return instead of Joel Matip.
Senior Cameroon players have asked coach Frenchman Le Guen to reconsider his team selection, believing he included too many youngsters against Japan.
“What we have seen in recent games, which we think is unfortunate, is that many young fresh players have been introduced into the team at the expense of experienced ones,” midfielder Achille Emana said.
“They cannot withstand the sort of pressure that comes with playing in big tournaments such as the World Cup.
“That is why we are appealing to the coach to review the line-up for Saturday’s game against Denmark.”
Defender Gaetan Bong believes the side can bounce back quickly from the defeat to Japan.
“Football is never perfect and it’s not only about winning. We’re not the first team to lose a match,” he said.
“There were good things to work on, we’ll put the bad things to one side and we’ll move on and play a good World Cup.”
Japan play the Dutch in the other group game earlier in the day. A draw in that match would mean certain exit for Cameroon or Denmark should either of them lose.
- Danish victory over Cameroon puts Dutch through (Lead) - Jun 20, 2010
- Denmark still sweating on Bendtner's fitness - Jun 19, 2010
- Cameroon's 'Indomitable Lions' ready to roar in South Africa (Group E team profile) - May 30, 2010
- Winners takes all for Japan and Denmark - Jun 23, 2010
- Denmark defeat Sweden 2-0 in football friendly - Nov 12, 2011
- Pride and Precipice: Contrasting matches in Group E - Jun 23, 2010
- Denmark need top health in tough group (Group E profile) - May 30, 2010
- Eto'o looms large over Japan-Cameroon opener - Jun 13, 2010
- Olsen names final Danish squad for World Cup - May 28, 2010
- Japan beat Denmark to advance with Netherlands (Roundup) - Jun 25, 2010
- Cameroon play for pride against advancing Dutch - Jun 23, 2010
- Van Persie scores as Dutch win (Roundup) - Jun 25, 2010
- Japan upset Cameroon 1-0 in Group E (Lead) - Jun 15, 2010
- Star striker Bendtner doubtful for Danish opener - Jun 11, 2010
- Euro 2012: Danish footballers banned from using social media - Apr 25, 2012
Tags: alexandre song, cameroon coach, coach paul, emana, frenchman, gaetan, groin injury, group game, jon dahl, morten olsen, paul le guen, physiotherapy, pretoria, quick response, recent games, strikers, team selection, training session, world cup football, world cup japan