photo by Ben Queenborough/ISIphotos.com
by FRANCO PANIZO
Cameroon let a 1-0 lead slip away against Denmark, and as a result the Indomitable Lions became the first team eliminated from the World Cup.
In one of the more entertaining matches of the World Cup, Cameroon and Denmark went back and forth in a wide open affair that saw 36 shots taken.
Cameroon got on the scoreboard first after a defensive mistake allowed Samuel Eto'o to score easily, but its own shoddy defensive performance allowed for Denmark to come back and win, 2-1.
Denmark took advantage of Cameroon's sloppy defending and became just the second team at the World Cup to come out victorious after falling behind. Dennis Rommedahl played a part in both of his team's goals, setting up Nicklas Bendtner for the first before scoring the second.
The result not only eliminated Cameroon, it also put the Netherlands through to the knockout rounds, making the Dutch the first team to secure advancement.
Here are the match highlights, as well as from the rest of Saturday's game:
Sneijder goal gives Netherlands 1-0 win
It wasn't the prettiest win, but the Netherlands' 1-0 victory over Japan showed the Dutch don't need to be pretty to be good.
Wesley Sneijder scored off a hard shot that goalkeeper Eiji Kawashima got a hand to but couldn't knock away, and that was enough to fend off Japan in the Group E encounter.
Even though it lost the possession battle 66-34, Japan had chances to equalize. It came closest in the waning moments of the match when substitute Shinji Okazaki got on the end of a cross, but his shot went just above the goal.
Here are the match highlights:
10-man Australia holds on to draw Ghana, 1-1
Australia got off to a dream start against Ghana by scoring in the 11th minute, but a red card and penalty kick made it settle for a 1-1 draw.
The Socceroos netted in the first half when Brett Holman finished from close range after Ghana goalkeeper Richard Kingson failed to hold onto a free kick shot. Kingson's gaffe occurred at Royal Bafokeng Stadium, the same venue where England netminder Robert Green fumbled a Clint Dempsey shot into his own net in a 1-1 draw with the United States.
Ghana would equalize in the 25th, as Asamoah Gyan converted a penalty kick following a red card to Harry Kewell for handling a goal-bound shot. The Black Stars would not make the most of its man advantage, as they failed to find the go-ahead goal.
Here are the match highlights:
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What do you think of Saturday's games? Surprised that Denmark came back to defeat and eliminate Cameroon? Are you disappointed by the Netherlands one-goal win, or is Japan the real deal? Impressed by Australia's performance? Think Ghana will make it out of Group D?
Share your thoughts below.
I was really impressed with Ivory Coast in the first game. They are a big strong team and I hope they go through.
If Ghana loses then Germany wins, since the two teams are playing in the final game.
The most likely scenario is a Germany win and a Serbia win, with Ghana crashing out.
C’mon Africa! I think Brazil vs Ivory Coast will be a real contest. It’s clear now that they’re the host continent’s best shot. Might get burned with that aggressive tackling against a team as skilled as Brazil, but go Elephants!
Ghana will advance even with a loss unless Germany and Serbia draw. Nigeria should advance if they can figure out a way to beat South Korea.
My prediction is that either Ivory Coast or Portugal will get a result against Brazil, so whichever team does that will advance.
So they need a win against South Korea AND for Greece to lose. It’s possible, but all South Korea would then need is a tie and a greece loss.
They are crashing out…
Nigeria is not done. They go thru with a win and a Greece loss.
My prediction… Ghana crashes out after not being able to put away the Aussies.
Nigeria is already done as well as SA and Cameroon. Can the Ivory Coast be the only African team to progress or do they all go out in the group round as well?
Heck of a game by Denmark – that first goal and build up was immense.