Cameroon sent crashing from WC

Posted: Jun 19 2010

Denmark came from a goal down to beat Cameroon 2-1 and send the Africans out of the tournament.

Despite taking the lead through Samuel Eto'o, the Indomitable Lions failed to hang on as Nicklas Bendtner and Dennis Rommedahl struck either side of the break as the Scandinavians rallied to secure three precious points.

Cameroon and Denmark desperately needed a win to stay in the race to qualify for the last 16 after both teams lost their opening group game.

But it was Denmark who created the first real chance of the game on six minutes when Dennis Rommedahl latched onto a brilliant through ball by Christian Poulsen, but he hit his shot over the bar from 12 yards out.

The Danes were immediately made to pay for that miss when the Lions roared into the lead on ten minutes. A slack pass by Christian Poulsen right on the edge of his own box allowed Pierre Webo to pounce as he charged down the left wing and squared the ball to Eto’o, who simply could not miss with a rasping low shot past the on-rushing Thomas Sorensen.

Two minutes later, Achille Emana saw a ferocious thunderbolt from 20 yards out scream just wide of Sorensen’s right post, before Jesper Gronkjaer followed suit at the other end as his low curling effort was deflected wide.

The frantic tempo of the opening phases of the game dissipated soon after and Emana’s shot, which sailed well over on the half-hour mark, was the only opening either side could manage. But completely against the run of play, Denmark drew levelled in the 33rd minute.

Rommedahl charged down the right wing to meet a stunning 50-yard long ball from Simon Kjaer before squaring it into the middle for Nicklas Bendtner who slid forward and stabbed it into the back of the net.

With five minutes left in the half, a flurry of shocking defensive errors almost produced a number of goals.

Barely a minute into the restart, Stephane M’Bia forced a superb finger-tip save out of Sorensen with a bullet header from a corner. Jensen then had to make a crucial last-ditch tackle to prevent Assou-Ekotto from tapping in a loose ball from close range.

Right on the hour mark, Denmark raced into the lead again. Bendtner’s cross-field pass found Rommedahl, who easily checked past Makoun onto his left foot and curled a lovely shot into the bottom corner past Hamidou.

Two minutes later, Webo almost equalised for Cameroon when he rose high to meet a cross but his glancing header just flashed wide. Makoun then blazed over after good build up play between Emana and Eto’o.

Le Guen’s men failed to find the equalizer despite lots of pressure as Denmark held on for their first win of the 2010 World Cup but crucially, the African side are out.

Cameroon are rooted to the bottom of the group with zero points. Denmark and Japan are now locked on three points apiece and with both sides meeting each other in the final group game, the Lions’ best possible finish is third place.

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benson: 2010-06-19 22:39

DOES IT MEAN ALL AFRICAN TEAMS WILL VACATE SOUTH AFRICA THE SAME DAY? WHERE IS AFRICAN POWER......juju.....THE THING NO DEY WORK OR THE WEST HAS ONE THAT IS STRONGER THAN OURS ....WE ARE FINISHED

Eric: 2010-06-19 23:44

Cameroon is the first African team to be eliminated from the world cup. Looking at the permutations, South Africa will be the next african team to exit the tournament.

Eric: 2010-06-20 00:00

Cameroon is the first African team to be eliminated from the world cup. Looking at the permutations, South Africa will be the next african team to exit the tournament.

stan'Lee: 2010-06-20 01:50

I am extremely sad and disappointed to the results against our African teams.
This world cup is actually springing great surprises and it is pity to see that our fellow African teams are not entertaining the surprise packages.

Atleast CIV, South Africa and Ghana all started well.
Also there were thumb ups to the losses from Nigeria and Algeria respectively considering their oppositions.
But for Cameroun to have bow down to Japan and now Denmark!
Nigeria and South Africa are equally at the exit door after their last matches against South Korea and France respectively except a Miracle happens.

Even Ghana would have taken 3 points from Australia to make a sweet passage to the 2nd round considering the opposition of Germany in the last group match.

CIV plays Brazil next after sharing the spoils with Portugal in the first match.

I see Ghana, CIV, Algeria making it to the 2nd round.
I believe something might come out with South Africa also joining the train.
I have not lost hope on Nigeria to make a surprise comeback but for Cameroun, it is all over!

Considering what is happening to our African participants, I will say that Africa was not well represented in SA at all.
It is sad considering the high expectations from these top soccer nations in Africa.

It is high time CAF do something to take our soccer heritage to the world sence.

I just hope something miraculous happens so that we can still see an African connection in the remaining weeks.
I just pray and...hope!!!

God no dey sleep!!!

Swona Champ!: 2010-06-20 07:34

it is so sad the way African teams have performed in their own backyard, is it the weather(winter), the ball(jabulani), or our coaches dont really understand our players?

Iyke sa : 2010-06-20 08:44

Eshi it is a pity our african brothers are out but i still believe something can happen in the game between nija nd s.korea because argentina is not sure yet,but for southy unless madeba comes 2 stadium 2 inspire them it is all over 4them.it is a shameful thing after qualifying 4 w/c almost 2yrs 2 d competion african teams are still changing coaches like they are changing under wears,

ceehle27 : 2010-06-20 12:22

mark my words. They'll be no African teams in the last 16. What a dissappointment. We were hopeful with SA but we knew we weren't good enough but Ivory Coast and Cameroon, a lot was expected. I'm shocked. Maybe the Black Stars still stand a chance.

drumzz: 2010-06-20 15:16

shoooting.kicking the ball to the posts..taking chances..taking risks....cameroon was nowhere near that while they dominated..it was like they were there for photo shoot.and 18 area was their studio.......
ghana looks set...ivory coast has this photo shoot tendency too..so i dont see them goin thru

Beke: 2010-06-21 07:23

African teams will only suceed if political issues stop in soccer and big egos are put to rest.