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Mexico and Cameroon kick off a bumper second day of World Cup action, with both sides knowing a win is crucial if they’re to have any chance of progression from Group A. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 2:00 am (AEST).
The two underdogs of Group A have both dragged themselves to Brazil, with Mexico having to see off New Zealand in a two-legged play-off and Cameroon eventually getting on the plane after a disagreement over player payments.
The similarities continue as the quarterfinal stage is the farthest both countries have progressed in the competition.
For Mexico of late it has been a tale of four attackers: former Gunner and Real Sociedad star Carlos Vela is absent again having turned his back on the national team.
Giovanni dos Santos has had a fantastic season with La Liga outfit Villarreal, while Oribe Peralta has scored eight in his last six competitive games for the national team.
This partnership looks set to headline the attack with Javier ‘Chicharito’ Hernandez likely having to settle, as usual, for a place on the bench.
It has been a turbulent time also for the el Tricolor manager position, with boss Miguel Herrera only having overseen two competitive matches thus far.
Cameroon’s form has been satisfactory heading into Brazil, having held Germany to a 2-2 draw and seen off Moldova 1-0.
German manager Volker Finke will be relying on star man Samuel Eto’o to provide the goals, the 33-year-old looking to prove he is young as ever.
Alex Song and Benoit Assou-Ekotto are other familiar faces in a squad that is hoping to improve the Indomitable Lions’ dismal record in recent World Cup finals campaigns, having won just one of their last 13 matches.
History is on Cameroon’s side, with Mexico having never knocked off an African team at the finals, although el Tricolor shaded the pair’s only meeting to date 1-0.
Despite injuries to key midfielders Juan Carlos Medina and Luis Montes, Mexico should have enough firepower to see them through 2-1.
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