Denmark and Cameroon will meet in their crucial group E match on Saturday. Both lost their opening matches, but they can still hope to qualify, provided Japan lose to Holland.
The teams have met twice in the past, winning one each. As Cameroon are yet to play Holland, they will be under greater pressure to win this match, and keep their hopes alive.
Against Japan, Cameroon failed to convert the opportunities created by their Samuel Eto’o led midfield. If anything, their finishing will need to be much better against the Danes, if they have to have any chance in the match.
Although their toughest match (against Holland) is behind them, Denmark cannot afford to relax against Cameroon. Even a draw should suffice for the Danes, if they go on to beat Japan in the last match, always assuming that Japan don’t win or even draw against Holland.
Holland dominated possession in the latter part of their match against the Danes; Denmark’s midfield was rendered ineffective. Daniel Agger’s own goal spelt doom for the Danes, but it was always evident who was going to win the match.
Regardless of their performance against the Dutch, there is unlikely to be any change in the Denmark team, given the paucity of options. Thomas Enevoldsen and Dennis Rommedahl will give flank support to Bendtner who will go it alone up front.
Samuel Eto’o wouldn’t want to leave the World Cup without proving a point or two. He will be chafing at the bit, particularly after Roger Milla’s criticism before the World Cup.
Denmark’s defender Simon Kjaer is the reigning Danish Player of the Year, and the team will trust Kjaer to keep Cameroon’s Pierre Webo and Samuel Eto’o in check.
Denmark expect Bendtner to play a bigger role than he did against Holland, when he was handicapped by a groin injury that restricted the time he could spend on the field. Denmark is likely to rely on its strong defence to soak up pressure initially and take the initiative in midfield.
Cameroon’s lack of creativity was evident against Japan, and that is going to be the crunch against the stolid Danes who are capable of fleet-footed counter-attacks, riding on the shoulders of Rommedahl and Jorgensen.