Cameroon in disarray
Source: Agencies |
June 19, 2010, Saturday
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CAMEROON'S World Cup campaign is in danger of imploding after senior players asked coach Paul Le Guen to reconsider his team selection for their Group E match against Denmark today.
Cameroon lost 0-1 to Japan and Denmark was beaten 0-2 by the Netherlands in their opening games on Monday and both sides desperately need a win today to have a realistic hope of making the second round.
Cameroon players are especially unhappy because Le Guen omitted seasoned campaigners like defender Rigobert Song and Geremi and midfielder Alexandre Song from the Japan game.
"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 told reporters.
Cameroon, one of six African teams here, was expected to do well, but its chances now hang by a thread.
Emana said the young players had been asked to do too much. "They cannot withstand the sort of pressure that comes with playing in big tournaments such as the World Cup," he noted. "That is why we are appealing to the coach to review the lineup for Saturday's game against Denmark."
Frenchman Le Guen has not spoken to the media since Monday's loss.
Emana, usually an attacking midfielder, came on as a second half substitute against Japan but was also unhappy about the role he is expected to perform for his country.
"More often than not I am not fielded in my right position. I'm made to chase the ball all over the field. And, in that case, how do you expect me to be effective?" he said.
Including Monday's defeat, Cameroon has gone eight matches without a win and key striker Samuel Eto'o said they needed to keep the faith.
"We played a good match from the beginning to the end. The Japanese had only one chance and they scored. We can't make any more errors and now we have to win against Denmark."
Denmark is ready to capitalise on Cameroon's woes.
Although down after losing, goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen said the mood in their camp had remained upbeat.
"I think that is one of the good things about our team," he said. "We have a great team spirit -- that's what has carried us through. One defeat is not going to bring us down."
Denmark has never lost to an African side at previous World Cups.
Cameroon lost 0-1 to Japan and Denmark was beaten 0-2 by the Netherlands in their opening games on Monday and both sides desperately need a win today to have a realistic hope of making the second round.
Cameroon players are especially unhappy because Le Guen omitted seasoned campaigners like defender Rigobert Song and Geremi and midfielder Alexandre Song from the Japan game.
"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 told reporters.
Cameroon, one of six African teams here, was expected to do well, but its chances now hang by a thread.
Emana said the young players had been asked to do too much. "They cannot withstand the sort of pressure that comes with playing in big tournaments such as the World Cup," he noted. "That is why we are appealing to the coach to review the lineup for Saturday's game against Denmark."
Frenchman Le Guen has not spoken to the media since Monday's loss.
Emana, usually an attacking midfielder, came on as a second half substitute against Japan but was also unhappy about the role he is expected to perform for his country.
"More often than not I am not fielded in my right position. I'm made to chase the ball all over the field. And, in that case, how do you expect me to be effective?" he said.
Including Monday's defeat, Cameroon has gone eight matches without a win and key striker Samuel Eto'o said they needed to keep the faith.
"We played a good match from the beginning to the end. The Japanese had only one chance and they scored. We can't make any more errors and now we have to win against Denmark."
Denmark is ready to capitalise on Cameroon's woes.
Although down after losing, goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen said the mood in their camp had remained upbeat.
"I think that is one of the good things about our team," he said. "We have a great team spirit -- that's what has carried us through. One defeat is not going to bring us down."
Denmark has never lost to an African side at previous World Cups.
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