Soca Warriors Online Discussion Forum
Archived Boards => 2010 World Cup - South Africa => Topic started by: Bitter on June 24, 2010, 05:38:14 AM
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Cameroon-Netherlands preview (http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/matches/round=249722/match=300061473/preview.html)
Thursday 24 June was supposed to be the day on which Group E was decided - but only one fixture will be of relevance to qualification in this section. With the Netherlands having already booked their place in the knockout stages, the battle will now be between Japan and Denmark to join them in the last 16.
In Cape Town, meanwhile, Cameroon, who have already crashed out of the competition after back-to-back defeats, will take on the Dutch in a match that, despite the lack of tension, promises much in the way of entertainment.
The game
Netherlands-Cameroon, Green Point Stadium, Thursday 24 June, 20:30 (local time)
The Indomitable Lions will be out to erase memories of what has been a below-par performance at South Africa 2010. While the Indomitable Lions will feel they have let themselves down considering the quality they have in their squad, this match with the Netherlands offers them the opportunity to go out on a high. The postmortem will surely follow once they return home, but for now there is a chance to address some of the failures that have beset their campaign, spefically an inability to finish chances.
However, in the Oranje corner stands an impressive Netherlands side still boasting an umblemished record at this event. With his side already through, Dutch coach Bert van Marwijk will surely be tempted to ring the changes in an effort to test the depth of his squad in preparation for what he hopes will be a long FIFA World Cup campaign. Alternatively, he may opt to field a full-strength side to maintain continuity and reaffirm his team's status among the early favourites. It is also possible that Van Mariwjk will use the match to test the fitness of winger Arjen Robben, who has thus far been sidelined by injury.
Key battle
Dirk Kuyt vs Benoit Assou-Ekotto
The Dutch have built their game around attack and speed while relying on solid defenders. They certainly have a bunch of attacking-minded stars capable of ambushing any opponents, including Wesley Sneijder, Robin van Persie and Robben to name just a few. However, another figure and a man who is a seasoned campaigner in this Dutch side is Dirk Kuyt. The Liverpool forward has been one of the unsung heroes of this Netherlands side. Despite a trying season at club level, Kuyt has been on top form at this FIFA World Cup, scoring a late goal against Denmark.
Ailing Cameroon, to their credit, have always attempted to play offensively, even though there has been little coherence in their play. One one of their more impressive players has been 26-year-old Tottenham player, Assou-Ekotto at left back. Solid in defence, he is also one of the Idomitable Lions' most potent attacking weapons.
The stat
2 – the number of times the two sides have met before. Netherlands won the last encounter 1-0 in 2006. Before that, they had played out a scoreless draw in 1998. Both matches were international friendlies.
The players words
“We have to keep on going, stay professional until the end, prepare the practice sessions for the game against the Netherlands. It’s not a friendly game, it’s a World Cup game and we have to respect the Cameroonian people and the competition itself, all the spectators and TV viewers as well,” Cameroon coach, Paul Le Guen.
“I take the match against Cameroon very seriously because it is in that match that the team has to show what they have learned. And we want to improve in every match and it is important for the players to know exactly what is asked of them in every position. Therefore, the match against Cameroon is also a match in which we have to improve ourselves. So I take it very seriously in many aspects,” Netherlands coach, Bert van Marwijk.
Have your say
Can Cameroon salvage some pride against a Dutch side that is on the rampage?
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hoping to see Cameroon test this shaky dutch defense a bit and hopefully score a couple on them to see if they have any fight in them.
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If there was ever a non-game this is it. Holland done qualify, Cameroon done gone home....the bachanal game is Denmark vs. Japan.....
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Freaking Tennis.
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If there was ever a non-game this is it. Holland done qualify, Cameroon done gone home....the bachanal game is Denmark vs. Japan.....
CO-SIGNNN
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In the other game,Japan doing nice.Two free kicks. 2 nil.
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Oranje...Van Persie!!!
Big Up!
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on his weaker right foot too
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penal penal penaltyyyyy
Big Up!
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Eto!!!
Big Up!
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oh oh...elia coming on. vdv shoulda go off, me ent find he had a good tourney so far
i glad cameroon have something to celebrate...the #13 for dem knocking ball man. now if they could hold on for at least a draw to not go home empty handed
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oh oh...elia coming on. vdv shoulda go off, me ent find he had a good tourney so far
i glad cameroon have something to celebrate...the #13 for dem knocking ball man. now if they could hold on for at least a draw to not go home empty handed
Like yuh talk too soon dey...
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Perfect 3 for holland!
Big Up!
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ok...i cyah hold meh tongue...wtf is wrong with rigobert song hair
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Ah sorry for mih Africans eh...but oh geez man Cameroon, all yuh coulda go through with mih Orange men from the group....*sigh*
That said
GO ORANJE!!!!
Notice the man on the field bout 10 - 15 mins and hit the friggin post!!!....Robben in all yuh pwefen!!!
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Ah sorry for mih Africans eh...but oh geez man Cameroon, all yuh coulda go through with mih Orange men from the group....*sigh*
That said
GO HOME!! ORANJE!!!!
Notice the man on the field bout 10 - 15 mins and hit the friggin post!!!....Robben in all yuh pwefen!!!
....all dat mean is that if he play a full game he go hit de post about 6 - 9 times. Fyah bun holland!! (and all dem europeans!!) :flamethrower:
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i like Holland :)
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i like Holland :)
:beermug:
Saw a little nice dutch football, just a teaser tho. They catching on late, but they will get their act together
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Ah sorry for mih Africans eh...but oh geez man Cameroon, all yuh coulda go through with mih Orange men from the group....*sigh*
That said
GO HOME!! ORANJE!!!!
Notice the man on the field bout 10 - 15 mins and hit the friggin post!!!....Robben in all yuh pwefen!!!
....all dat mean is that if he play a full game he go hit de post about 6 - 9 times. Fyah bun holland!! (and all dem europeans!!) :flamethrower:
Look Mango Chow, stop interferring with mih Orange eh.... ;D