Next Day's Games

Final

Germany 1-0 (ET) Argentina (Gotze 113')

Wednesday, June 18, 2014

Game 20 Recap: Cameroon 0-4 Croatia

CAMEROON 0-4 CROATIA

The cameras caught Benjamin Moukandjo and Benoit Assou-Ekotto near blows on the field in the dying minutes which summed up the game as best as possible for Cameroon.

In a game that was already marred by an inexcusable red card for Alex Song who tested his martial art skills on Mario Mandzukic, it was a pitiful ending to a pitiful performance by the Indomitable Lions that ensures they'll be on their way home after their next game.

Croatia on the other hand rebounded well from their opening game loss to Brazil, and used their man advantage to blow the game away with 3 second-half goals.

After struggling to get a footing in the first 10 minutes, Croatia got on the scoreboard in the 11th through 34 year old Ivica Olic. Cameroon failed to clear a Croatian cross from their penalty area. Olic then made them as he sneaked behind Stephane Mbia to one-time a through ball from Wolfsburg teammate Ivan Perisic. Perisic himself nearly made it 2-0 minutes later but whiffed on a Mandzukic redirect in front of goal.

The game slowed as the first half progressed until the 40th minute when a lack of leadership shone through for Cameroon. Veteran midfielder Alex Song appeared to take exception to a shoulder barge from Mandzukic while running upfield. Song then threw a half-punch/half-elbow to the small of Mandzukic's back sending the striker down in a heap and earning an immediate red card from the ref. It was a hideous foul and ended the tournament for Song.

Down a man, Croatia poured on the pressure in the second half. A poor Charles Itandje clearance in the 48th minute was intercepted by Perisic who bolted down the left wing and chipped the ball over Itandje from in-close for the second Croatian goal.

Mandzukic put his stamp on the game later in the half with a pair of goals. Uncontested on a 61st minute corner kick, Mandzukic hammered it low past Itandje for the 3rd, and then cleaned up an easy rebound goal off an Eduardo shot for the 4th.

Both teams had chances as the game played out but the most noteworthy action was the encounter between Moukandjo and Assou-Ekotto. Moukandjo blew a scoring chance from close range. Assou-Ekotto tried giving him an earful but after Moukandjo waved him off, Assou-Ekotto headbutted Moukandjo and the two had to be separated by Pierre Webo. The ugly back-and-forth summarized Cameroon's performance on the whole. Disgraceful.

Goals

Cameroon: N/A
Croatia: Ivica Olic (11'), Ivan Perisic (48'), Mario Mandzukic (61' 73')

Discipline

Cameroon: Alex Song (Red 40')
Croatia: Eduardo (Yellow 90')

Man of the Match

Mario Mandzukic was named Man of the Match. The tall striker turned in a pair of goals after missing Croatia's first game to suspension. Ivan Perisic also created havoc in the backfield of Cameroon and chipped in a goal and an assist in the Croatian rout.

Key Moment

Struggling in the offensive third throughout the first half and down 1-0 already, Alex Song inexcusably through a punch/elbow at the back of Mario Mandzukic unprovoked. It drew a straight red card from the referee and torpedoed any hope for a Cameroon comeback.

What we learned from Cameroon

We knew they'd be short on finishing with Eto'o out of the lineup but that was far from the biggest problem with this team. No heart, no effort in the defensive end of the field and no emotion it seemed (other then players fighting each other on the field). The end of this World Cup cannot come soon enough for a team that made headlines before arriving for negotiating larger financial bonuses for themselves. Good to see those bonuses haven't gone to waste...

What we learned from Croatia

Will provide a stiff test for whoever has to face them, regardless of how many games they have left. Mandzukic's presence drew defenders towards him and freed up all kinds of space for Perisic and Olic to operate on the wings. Finishing ability all over the field and a compact organized defence that locked down the Croatian penalty area. Little for Pletikosa to do in goal but he did make a phenomenal save on a Pierre Webo header late.

Going Forward 

Cameroon's second straight loss eliminates them from the tournament. They'll have to get blown apart by Brazil before that happens though.

Croatia go in to their final game with Mexico needing a win to advance to the knockout round and while they will face a stiff test, they are entering in the best fashion possible.

No comments:

Post a Comment