ALEX SONG S high hopes for the World Cup were dealt a massive blow on Monday when the Arsenal midfielder was left out of the Cameroon side, and then watched from the bench as they were beaten 1-0 by Japan. Cameroon boss Paul Le Guen surprisingly opted for

ALEX SONG'S high hopes for the World Cup were dealt a massive blow on Monday when the Arsenal midfielder was left out of the Cameroon side, and then watched from the bench as they were beaten 1-0 by Japan.

Cameroon boss Paul Le Guen surprisingly opted for Lyon's Jean Makoun in the defensive midfield role, and it was one of a number of decisions the former Rangers manager was to regret.

Japan's Keisuke Honda scored the only goal of the game after 38 minutes and Cameroon now face a massive task to qualify for the knockout stages from Group E, currently topped by Robin van Persie's Holland, who beat Nicklas Bendtner's Denmark 2-0.

Song is likely to figure in what is now a crucial game for Cameroon against Denmark in Pretoria on Saturday night. Defeat will almost certainly see the Indomitable Lions heading out in the group stages before their final game against Holland.