Deep Analysis of Cameroon Football World Cup hopes
Cameroon is one of 6 African nations participation in the 2010 World Cup. They will dream of making history by winning the World Cup. Led by Samuel Eto'o, Cameroon has a very heterogeneous team. But Cameroon has a lot of history behind it to try and push hard in this World Cup.
Can Cameroon win the Cup?
Like all other African nations, winning the World Cup seems like an impossible task. In its 6th world cup, Cameroon has a mixed group that does not give a lot of confidence in the team's ability to go far in the competition. With only one star player, Samuel Eto'o, Cameroon does not have the support that star players need, like the ones that feed Eto'o in Barcelona and Inter Milan. The Indomitable Lions are missing offensive midfielder players of international caliber but still have some good elements. Between the posts, Carlos Kameni is closely following the legends Bell and Nkono.
In the midfield Alexandre Song, Jean II Makoun and Achille Emana have European and high-level club experience. Stephane Mbia, usually in the midfield, might switch to defense and most probably on the right side. He will try to bring stability and a physical presence. Coach Paul le Guen is trying to infuse discipline and tactical rigor to the team. These intentions went out quickly when Cameroon lost in the quarter finals of the African Cup of Nations in Angola, against eventual winner Egypt.In South Africa, Cameroon will play the Netherlands, Denmark and Japan. Going to the round of 16 is attainable but it will not be easy.
"We are small outsiders. We have qualities and we can do better that in the ACN. We have the assets with a new fresh squad. But we do not have assets that Brazil, Spain or the Netherlands have,'' Paul le Guen says.
Cameroon will aim to get 4 or 6 points against Japan and Denmark, teams within their reach. The Netherlands is another story.None of the teams have great defensive squads so it might be a turkey shoot but we know that in the World Cup, teams like to keep the score tight.
References and history
Cameroon is the African nation with the most experience in international scene and has won 4 African Cup of Nations but its biggest feat was the 1990 World Cup. It all started with a 1-0 victory over defending champion Argentina led by Maradona. The Indomitable Lions played a physical game with old glories and young unknowns. After playing with a man down, 30 minutes remaining, Cameroon took the lead at the 61st minute thanks to Francois Omam-Biyik, The Lions finished the game with 9 players but were still one of the World Cup's biggest surprise. They continued their dream run by beating Romania 2-1 thanks to Roger Milla, a 38 year old player. Milla goes at it against Colombia with a 2-1 win and Cameroon becomes the first nation to make it to the round of 16.
England and Gary Lineker end Cameroon's dream in the quarter finals in an excellent game that went into extra time. England went on to the semi-final. Cameroon was inches away from a great exploit and the 1990 World Cup is forever marked by Milla and friends.
Aurélien Chedjou says, " Cameroon is a great soccer nation. For this World Cup in Africa, we want to do something. We will have a whole country behind us. If we win, it will be historic: a victory for an African team in Africa. All the African teams would want to do well."
Schedule
June 14th : Japan - Cameroon
June 19th : Cameroon - Denmark
June 24th : Cameroon - Netherlands
Potential adversaries in the round of 16:Italy, New Zealand, Slovakia or Paraguay.
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