PREVIEW: Mexico vs Cameroon
By Young Kim
Jun 6, 2014; Foxborough, MA, USA; Mexico poses for a team photo before their international friendly against Portugal at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports
Mexico barely qualified thanks to the generosity of the United States as the Stars and Stripes beat Panama in a qualifying match they didn’t need to win to help Mexico stay in fourth place in the table. The team went through four coaching changes during the qualifiers as El Tri found themselves plagued by poor chemistry and no identity.
Things changed when Miguel Herrera took over as coach. After a playoff victory against New Zealand and a string of decent performances in recent friendlies, Mexico is entering the World Cup with confidence that they can make it out of group A.
Standing in Mexico’s way is Cameroon, Les Lions Indomptables, one of the strongest teams in Africa. They will be making their seventh appearance in the World Cup and are itching to make it to the knockout rounds for the first time since 1990.
Given the fact that both teams are favored to finish in the bottom of the group due to the strength of Croatia and Brazil, Cameroon and Mexico are looking to win to give themselves an easier chance of making it out.
If you thought the Brazil and Croatia match was exciting, this one will surely have fireworks until the 90th minute.
"Projected Starting XIMexico: Ochoa, Layun, Moreno, Marquez, Rodriguez, Aguilar, Vazquez, Herrera, Guardado, Dos Santos, Peralta.Cameroon: Itandje, N’Koulou, Chedjou, Bedimo, Assou-Ekotto, Makoun, Song, M’bia, Matip, Eto’o, Choupo-Moting"
Keys for Mexico
– Defensive cohesion will be key for the Mexicans. Due to Cameroon’s lack of creativity, Mexico should expect them to jump on the counter-attack. When that happens, they must stay on guard.
– Fullbacks will be the X-factors in the match. With the 5-3-2 formation, Layun and Aguilar are expected to run a lot and help both the offense and defense. Cameroon will be without true wingers, but regardless if any of their forwards get the ball in the box, Layun and Aguilar will be at fault.
– Moreno or Rodriguez shouldn’t be afraid to venture up top and help Mexico clog the midfield. Mexico has to expose Cameroon’s poor midfield and force turnovers that can lead to counterattacks.
Keys for Cameroon
– Patience is key. Mexico looks to be the aggressor in this match and will push the ball into the final third of the pitch. Cameroon must shore up their defense and jump onto the counter-attack the moment they win the ball and see the flank left wide-open.
– Don’t play Eto’o. He’s old and past his prime. His leadership doesn’t seem to inspire the squad much either. If anything, Pierre Webo look like a surer choice for a veteran striker that’s in form.
– Choupo-Moting and the other starting forward must make sharp off-ball movements and expose Mexico’s lack of quickness in the center back position. Cameroon boasts superior speed and athleticism and should not have problem finding space to receive and pass and get a shot off.
Key Battles
– Giovani Dos Santos vs Chedjou + Bedimo – Dos Santos will be crucial in the final third of the field and must use his speed and dribbling to outplay Cameroon’s defense. Gio’s objective is to be enough of a nuisance and creative force to give his partner, Oribe Peralta, enough space to get a pass and shot at goal. Chedjou and Bedimo must be wise in their positioning and not get left ball-watching.
– Layun v N’Koulou – Layun will have a handful of responsibilities to take care of. Not only does he have to protect the flank, he’s also serving as a the sole winger at the left. Standing in his way is N’Koulou who looks forward to shutting down a key contributor to Mexico’s offense.
– Choupo-Moting v Marquez – Choupo-Moting will be looking to expose holes in Mexico’s aging defense with his speed and athleticism, leaving wily veteran Marquez the job to sheriff the backline. It will be the battle between speed and experience.
"Staff Match PredictionsDrew – It will be 2-2. Drew argues that neither teams are capable of defending, leaving the match wide open. Mexico will have no problem converting their chances as does Cameroon.Young – Mexico will win 2-1. I believe they do have enough speed to counteract Cameroon’s ridiculous athleticism and are fearless coming in the World Cup. Mexico’s fighting spirit is unmatched and will send a message to Croatia and Brazil that they shouldn’t be overlooked. Si se puede"