COPENHAGEN (Reuters) – A gift from the referee in form of a penalty secured Denmark a 2-1 win over the African champions in a international friendly in the Danish capital.
It was the final test match for both teams ahead of the World Cup finals in South Korea and Japan and both coachs were satisfied with their teams, although Denmark’s Morten Olsen admitted a draw would have been more fair.
« I must admit that the result was not fair. But a victory for them wouldn’t have been fair neither, » Olsen said at a news conference.
« A draw would have been all right against good opponent, which deservedly is African champion. »
The Danes dominated the first half and Cameroon’s Lucien Mettomo was unfortunate to send a passing from the line from Denmark’s Dennis Rommedahl into his own goal in the 20th minute.
Denmark also got off to a good start after the break, but just after a big chance to Cameroon, the Norwegian referee must have been the only one to see the penalty against Denmark’s Claus Jensen, which Jon Dahl Tomasson executed in the 58th minute.
Down 2-0, Cameroon started to show some of the finesses which have brought them fame and which earlier this year had helped them come from behind to draw 2-2 with World Cup favourites Argentina.
After several chances Modeste Mbami made it 2-1 in the 74th minute when he put his head on a well executed free kick from the right hand side.
« It was a good game for the crowd with many fine details, » Winfried Schaefer, Cameroon’s German coach said. « We played a different system and missed a number of our key players. »
Cameroon have been drawn against Germany, Ireland and Saudi Arabia in group E. Denmark meet holders France, Senegal and Uruguay in group A in the opening round of the finals.
