CAMEROON vs. BRAZIL
Date: June 23, 2014
Time: 4:00 p.m. EDT
Venue: Estadio Nacional, Brasilia
Overall Head-to-Head Record (W-L-T): 3-1-0 Brazil
Last Match: 2003 Confederations Cup (Group Stage). Cameroon def. Brazil 1-0.
Line: Brazil -750
Group A Preview here.
Starting Lineups posted separately once they're announced.
Team Profiles
World Ranking: Cameroon (56th), Brazil (3rd)
Managers: Volker Finke (CMR), Luiz Felipe Scolari (BRA)
Captains: Samuel Eto'o (CMR), Thiago Silva (BRA)
World Cup Appearances: 7 (CMR), 20 (BRA)
Best Finish: Cameroon (Quarterfinals, 1990), Brazil (5x Champions, Last in 2002)
Qualifying Records: Cameroon (5-1-2, GF: 12, GA: 4), Brazil (N/A)
Previous Game Results
Cameroon
Brazil
June 12th - Brazil def. Croatia 3-1
June 17th - Mexico tied Brazil 0-0
Rosters
Injuries/Discipline
Brazil: Hulk (Probable - Thigh), Luiz Gustavo (Yellow Card), Neymar (Yellow Card), Ramires (Yellow Card, Thiago Silva (Yellow Card)
Overview
Cameroon are left to the role of spoiler after being eliminated already in this World Cup. They can still throw an Africa-sized wrinkle in to this tournament though if they can find a way to defeat hosts Brazil, who only need a draw to secure a place in the knockout round.
It's an arduous task asking Cameroon to beat Brazil, and one they'll have to accomplish without some regulars in their lineup. Alex Song is suspended after practicing some Muay Thai on Mario Mandzukic last game. Samuel Eto'o is still getting over a knee injury and may sit out again in what is ultimately a meaningless game for Cameroon. And Cameroon has hinted that one or both of Benoit Assou-Ekotto and Benjamin Moukandjo may be benched after their on-field fight at the end of the Croatia game.
Cameroon are a right mess coming in to this game and yet most of the criticism going in to this game is levelled at Brazil. Such is life for the host country when that host country happens to be the most soccer-mad place in the world. Brazil have looked out of sorts in their first 2 group matches and have a tenuous hold on first place in their group. Brazilian fans demand perfection and so far haven't been impressed by what has been provided.
Brazil should enter the game at full-strength and will be looking to attack from the start against a Cameroon defence that has surrendered 5 goals so far this tournament with at least 2 called back suspiciously. Cameroon are not strong on the ball and Brazil can match their speed so they should be able to dominate this game.
Cameroon are looking to ruin their hosts party in this match but may have to settle for not getting run out of the stadium today.
Personnel
In the Cameroonian Third: Brazilian players have come under criticism for their offensive output but if not for some brilliant goalkeeping by Ochoa for Mexico, this is a team that would likely have 5 or 6 goals over 2 games. Cameroon have had defensive woes since before this tournament started and Brazil should be able to run circles around them. Advantage: Brazil
In the Midfield: Cameroon are defensively irresponsible in the midfield, pushing far too high up field and providing little support to their defenders. They're also without top player Alex Song to suspension. This game is likely to be played at a fast-pace with both sides looking to attack but clear personnel advantage for Brazil. Advantage: Brazil
In the Brazilian Third: Like every game, the potential exists for Brazil to get burned when their backs push upfield. Cameroon have a lot of size and speed up top to get up field but accomplish little in terms of chances on goal and even if Eto'o can play, he won't be 100%. Cameroon will stretch them occasionally but Julio Cesar should still have a pretty quiet day in goal. Advantage: Brazil.
Goalkeeping: Charles Itandje had some very suspect goals against in the Croatia game while concerns over Julio Cesar's form appear to be unjustified. Advantage: Brazil
It's an arduous task asking Cameroon to beat Brazil, and one they'll have to accomplish without some regulars in their lineup. Alex Song is suspended after practicing some Muay Thai on Mario Mandzukic last game. Samuel Eto'o is still getting over a knee injury and may sit out again in what is ultimately a meaningless game for Cameroon. And Cameroon has hinted that one or both of Benoit Assou-Ekotto and Benjamin Moukandjo may be benched after their on-field fight at the end of the Croatia game.
Cameroon are a right mess coming in to this game and yet most of the criticism going in to this game is levelled at Brazil. Such is life for the host country when that host country happens to be the most soccer-mad place in the world. Brazil have looked out of sorts in their first 2 group matches and have a tenuous hold on first place in their group. Brazilian fans demand perfection and so far haven't been impressed by what has been provided.
Brazil should enter the game at full-strength and will be looking to attack from the start against a Cameroon defence that has surrendered 5 goals so far this tournament with at least 2 called back suspiciously. Cameroon are not strong on the ball and Brazil can match their speed so they should be able to dominate this game.
Cameroon are looking to ruin their hosts party in this match but may have to settle for not getting run out of the stadium today.
Personnel
In the Cameroonian Third: Brazilian players have come under criticism for their offensive output but if not for some brilliant goalkeeping by Ochoa for Mexico, this is a team that would likely have 5 or 6 goals over 2 games. Cameroon have had defensive woes since before this tournament started and Brazil should be able to run circles around them. Advantage: Brazil
In the Midfield: Cameroon are defensively irresponsible in the midfield, pushing far too high up field and providing little support to their defenders. They're also without top player Alex Song to suspension. This game is likely to be played at a fast-pace with both sides looking to attack but clear personnel advantage for Brazil. Advantage: Brazil
In the Brazilian Third: Like every game, the potential exists for Brazil to get burned when their backs push upfield. Cameroon have a lot of size and speed up top to get up field but accomplish little in terms of chances on goal and even if Eto'o can play, he won't be 100%. Cameroon will stretch them occasionally but Julio Cesar should still have a pretty quiet day in goal. Advantage: Brazil.
Goalkeeping: Charles Itandje had some very suspect goals against in the Croatia game while concerns over Julio Cesar's form appear to be unjustified. Advantage: Brazil
Cameroon will win if:
Ugh, do I have to? Alright. Lock on to Neymar and the other front players, prevent them from being able to get free shots as much as possible. When Cameroon do get the ball, play it forward in to space and try and get players behind Dani Alves and Marcelo to get angles to attack the Brazil goal. Not surrendering cheap red cards and actually looking like they care will help too.
Brazil will win if:
Not much to say here, if Brazil show up to the stadium and resemble a shadow of what they can be they'll win this game. Cameroon offers little in the way of midfield pressure and easily loses track of players in their own penalty area. Keep the pressure up defensively and Brazil should cruise in this one.
Would be the upset of the tournament if Cameroon knocked off Brazil. This Cameroon team is missing players and has lacked heart and effort the whole tournament. Brazil want to prove to their home fans that they are the best in the world and aren't deserving of the criticism being thrown their way. This could get ugly.
Brazil 3-0 Cameroon
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