Cameroon vs Netherlands - Preview

Cameroon
v
Netherlands




Group E, 18:30 GMT, June 24, 2010
Green Point Stadium, Cape Town, South Africa


With the Dutch already qualified and Cameroon already out, the match holds little importance, save for a chance to restore some pride to the Indomitable Lions.

Team Stat Comparison

	Cameroon	Netherlands
Matches Played	2	2
Table Position	4	1
Points	0	6
Goal Difference	-2	3
Goals for *	1.0	0.0
Goals against *	2.0	0.0
Last 5	L-L	W-W
Last 5 home	L	W-W
Last 5 away	L
*  Goals per match - home matches for home club and away matches for away club
Stats: Cameroon | Netherlands

Competition Stats

	Cameroon	Netherlands
Goals	Samuel Eto'o 1	Dirk Kuyt 1
Assists		Dirk Kuyt 0
Yellows	Sebastien Bassong 1	Robin Van Persie 1
Squads: Cameroon | Netherlands

Group Table

RK	TEAM	P	W	D	L	GS	GA	GD	Pts
1	Netherlands	2	2	0	0	3	0	3	6
2	Japan	2	1	0	1	1	1	0	3
3	Denmark	2	1	0	1	2	3	-1	3
4	Cameroon	2	0	0	2	1	3	-2	0

Top two teams qualify for the Second Round

Cameroon player to watch: Souleymanou Hamidou. Keeping Carlos Kameni out of the side, the veteran goalkeeper has had to watch as his side dropped out of the tournament. Not expected to keep the No.1 spot, he has now made it his own and will be tested to the fullest against a sharp Dutch attack.

Netherlands player to watch: Arjen Robben. He may not be granted a start if the coach decides to stick with the same XI as the win over Japan, but the fit-again winger will certainly be given some playing time. Having recovered from a hamstring injury that he picked up attempting to do a backheel in a warm-up match, Robben will be a key player for the Dutch if they are to progress further in the tournament.

Key Battle: Pierre Webo v Johnny Heitinga. Leading the line with Samuel Eto'o, Webo plays an important role in using his strength and power to create space for his team-mates. Boasting good pace and clever off-the-ball runs, he has not fired in front of goal, but is an important part of Cameroon's attack. Meanwhile Netherlands have only conceded two goals in their past six World Cup matches, keeping four clean sheets in the process, and Everton's Heitinga has played a vital role in this. Strong and committed, he is the star of an underappreciated Dutch back four.

Trivia: This is Cameroon's 20th World Cup match, the most by any African side, but they were the first side to be knocked out of the 2010 World Cup.

Stats: Twenty-six of the 32 goals Cameroon have conceded at World Cups have come against European opponents - and they haven't won any of their past nine meetings with European sides at finals.

Odds: Cameroon (4.50), Netherlands (1.83) and a draw (3.60) are all available at Bet 365, but a 3-0 win for the Dutch will get you 15.00.

Prediction: With nothing but pride to play for, Cameroon will surely be turned over by an efficient, if not quite Total, Dutch side.


Netherlands 2-1