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After last night’s tournament opener, the 2014 World Cup continues today with the second game in Group A between Mexico and Cameroon. Both sides arrived in Brazil with quite a lot of problems; Mexico struggled in qualifying and Cameroon players had a pay dispute with officials. But they will looking to put it all behind them as an important game beckons. With probable group toppers Brazil having beaten Croatia in the first game, tonight provides a great opportunity for Mexico and Cameroon to get one step ahead in the race for the runner-up spot.
Venue
This game will be played in the 38,958-capacity Arena das Dunas in the city of Natal, the capital of Rio Grande do Norte state. It will be used for 4 group matches. The stadium is the home ground for America FC, a Brazilian second division club.
Kick-off time
June 13 9:30 PM – IST
June 13 1:00 PM – Local time
Possible starting XIs
Mexico coach Miguel Herrera has had quite a tough time deciding a first XI, trying out many players during the turbulent final stage of qualifying and pre-tournament friendlies. Nevertheless, he told reporters that he had a team in mind and declared himself to be satsified with the players. Injury setbacks to Juan Carlos Medina and Luis Montes meant that Herrera had to bring in new midfielders, which include Jose Juan Vazquez, who only has 5 caps for El Tri. Star striker Javier Hernandez will start from the bench after an uncharacteristic goal drought. The coach prefers Oribe Peralta and Giovanni Dos Santos up front. Herrera has also said that his toughest decision was selecting keeper Ochoa instead of Talavera and Corona.
Cameroon come into this game with the shadow of an ugly pay dispute behind them. The players refused to embark the plane to Brazil until a dispute over bonuses was resolved. It is not the best of scenarios before an important match, but the team’s German coach Volker Finke will hope that it won’t affect the matchday performance. Finke has the Indomitable Lions set up in a fairly organised 4-3-3 system and the first XI is likely to be the same as the one which started the 2-2 friendly draw with Germany. Cedric Djeugoue will start at right back after impressing recently and Sevilla midfielder Stephane M’bia will look to continue his great club form.
Mexico (5-3-2): Ochoa; Aguilar, Maza, Marquez, Moreno, Layun; Herrera, Vazquez, Guardado; Dos Santos, Peralta
Cameroon (4-3-3): Itandje; Djeugoue, Matip, Nkoulou, Bedimo; Enoh, Song, M'bia; Moukandjo, Eto'o, Choupo-Moting
Key facts and stats
- Mexico have lost more games than any other team at World Cup Finals (24).
- Samuel Eto'o has been directly involved in Cameroon's last four World Cup goals (three goals, one assist).
- The Indomitable Lions have only won one of their last 13 World Cup games (1-0 v Saudi Arabia in 2002), drawing four and losing eight.
- The two teams have only met once before, with Mexico winning 1-0 in a friendly in 1993.
- Miguel Herrera has only managed Mexico in two competitive games; the World Cup play-offs against New Zealand.
- Cameroon's 17 previous World Cup goals have all been scored from inside the area (15 from open play, two penalties).
- Oribe Peralta has scored eight goals in his last six competitive appearances for el Tricolor.
- El Tri have never beaten at African team at a World Cup Finals tournament, losing one and drawing two of their three meetings against sides from that continent so far.
Key battles
Samuel Eto’o v Rafael Marquez: This will be a battle between two former Barcelona team mates who are past their prime and are surely in for a last hurrah. Eto’o has been the standard bearer and regular goal scorer for Cameroon and despite his age, he will still be a dangerous threat to the Mexican defence. Like Eto’o, Marquez is appearing in his fourth World Cup and the big Mexican will look to marshal his three-man central defence against the Cameroonian marksman. Eto’o is strong and has a great sense of positioning; it will be up to Marquez to use his experience and keep Eto’o under his thumb, if Mexico are to keep a clean sheet.
Oribe Peralta v Charles Itandje: Peralta has been excellent for Mexico recently having scored 8 in his last 6 competitive matches. He also scored both goals in the 2-1 win over Brazil in the final of the 2012 Olympic tournament. The 30-year-old striker will likely be a nuisance for the Cameroon defence throughout the match. Peralta is not quite tall but he makes up for it with an amazing work-rate and lethal finishing. The Lions’ keeper Charles Itandje will have his work cut out if his defence gives way. The 31-year-old ex-Liverpool custodian only got his first call-up to the national team last year, and this may well turn out to be his first and last World Cup – unless he makes an impression in Brazil. For that, he’ll have to first face the force of Peralta.
Prediction
Despite all their qualifying troubles, Mexico look strong enough to get the three points against Cameroon’s Lions. El Tri have a potent attacking force headed by Peralata and Dos Santos, with supersub Chicharito on the bench. Although Samuel Eto’o and Co. will toil hard, Mexico will probably edge it.Predicted scoreline: Mexico 2 – 1 Cameroon
Match officials
- Referee: Wilmar Roldan
- Assistant Referee 1: Humberto Clavijo (COL)
- Assistant Referee 2: Eduardo Diaz(COL)
- Fourth official: Norbert Hauata (TAH)
