World Cup pre-game: Cameroon vs. Brazil
Cameroon could play spoiler role
Group A: Cameroon vs. Brazil
- 4 p.m. ET, Monday, June 23
- CBC TV, cbc.ca/fifaworldcup
What’s at stake
Brazil can secure their trip to the next round with a victory here.
Cameroon is out. But they want to score their first goal in Brazil before going home.
These teams have played each other four times previously. Brazil has three wins, with Cameroon taking the most recent match-up 1-0 in 2003.
Impact players
Cameroon: Vincent Aboubakar. With Eto’o hurt, this young, talented and fast striker is getting a chance to shine.
Brazil: Neymar. He scored twice against Croatia, but this number 10 couldn’t find the net against the Mexicans. He should have an easier time against Cameroon.
What to watch for
The Brazilian offence was active but in the end unsuccessful against Mexico. Their midfielders and forwards want to be more effective against a weaker opponent.
Cameroon took a red for Alex Song’s ridiculous elbow on Mario Mandzukic. And two of their players got into a scuffle during that same game. They need discipline against Brazil. Not to mention goals.
They said it
"I think that this team has shown some things that are not acceptable." Cameroon’s manager Volker Finke speaking to reporters about discipline troubles on his team.
“We can still get better. But I feel we improved here.” Luiz Scolari, Brazil’s manager, reflecting on his team’s goalless draw with Mexico.
The big number
100 — Brazil hits a century of World Cup games with this match, second only to Germany who hit that milestone in their game against Portugal.
Obligatory fun fact
Cameroon has never played a host team in the World Cup.