Brazil will be up against Cameroon as the two teams face off in the final Group A match at the Mane Garrincha national stadium in Brasilia on Monday, June 24.
While Cameroon are definitely out of contention, Brazil can find themselves staring at the exit door if they were to lose. For if they lose, there is a possibility that the home team will crash out of the World Cup in the first round. Also, Brazil will be looking to qualify as group leaders which makes this clash even more interesting.
On paper, the match looks like the easiest of matches for Brazil with Cameroon yet to register a goal at the tournament. The Africans will be missing a key squad member in Alex Song, who saw red as he made a foolish tackle on Bayern Munich and Croatia striker Mario Mandzukic in their last game. Song will likely be replaced by the experienced Jean Makoun, who has played in Europe for a majority of his career.
Discipline and team spirit has also hit a rock bottom at the Cameroon football team after Benoit Assou-Ekotto head-butted teammate Benjamin Moukandjo as Cameroon were taken apart by Croatia. Former African Player of the Year Samuel Eto’o, who is also the team’s skipper when he is on the pitch, tried to calm the defender down, however, differences still remain as the Africans head into this mammoth clash.
Eto’o will also be looking to take the field on Monday in what is likely his last world cup. He will try and lift his team by scoring a goal or two as they look to leave on a high.
Brazil on the other hand will be under tremendous pressure to perform. Expect the nerves to remain for as long as the score is at 0-0. The onus will be on the Neymar-Oscar duo to make things happen for the home team. On the evidence of the past two games, there are not many players in the Selecao in this year’s world cup who could make things happen for them.
Hernanes and Paulinho need to join the attack in alternate spurts from midfield as Brazil will need the extra man in the box in this game. The likes of Hulk and Fred must come good after a couple of low-key performances. Coach Luiz Felipe Scolari will have a tough time if his favoured striker does not score a goal on Tuesday as it is believed that the best number 9’s that Brazil have are not playing in this tournament.
Brazil are ultimately expected to overwhelm their opposition as they are far too strong a team for the former African giants. However, it will be foolish to choose sides in a game of football as something inexplicable just might happen come Monday.