Mexico VS Cameroon

So on the first full day of World Cup action, after a truly Brazilliant opening day, Mexico and Cameroon come crashing together in hopes of creating something similar to Brazil VS Croatia.

The theatrical opening ceremony was littered with innuendos about the environment, and the match saw the fluid Brazilian river almost get halted by the firm Croatian wall, but Oscar’s slick passing and Neymar’s dazzling dribbling stole the game from the rugged Croatian outfit – only leading due to an unfortunate Marcelo own-goal.

MEXICO

After going through an amazing FOUR managers in 2013, El Tri come into this World Cup on their home continent looking to make a real mark – and it starts here, in the Arena Das Dunas.

Miguel Herrera’s team qualified via a 9-3 play-off thrashing of New Zealand and will be looking to give themselves a good chance of joining favourites Brazil in their probable qualification for the knock-out stages.

PROBABLE STARTING XI

(5-3-2)
                    Ochoa
                                                  —————Rodriguez———————Moreno——————Marquez

Layun——————————————————————————Aguillar
              Herrera
Guardado—————————————————Vazquez
           
    Dos Santos
  Peralta

The full-backs will bomb forward and add to Mexico’s venomous speed whilst they are supported by a dynamic midfield three. Whilst this will make them fluid in attack, any unexpected breakdown could leave them very vulnerable on the wings – the disadvantages of cavalier full-backs was on full display yesterday, with Marcelo and Alves often ceding acres of space to Olic and co.

Dos Santos and Peralta will be eager to work their magic and use their vast array of skills as no. 10s to orchestrate goal-scoring opportunities for the other to finish. Mexico’s 3rd highest international scorer, the out-of-form Hernandez, will miss out.

PLAYER TO WATCH

GIOVANI DOS SANTOS

Despite his average club form and the fact that all of the promise didn’t amount to very much, Dos Santos has a vast repertoire of dribbling and creative skills, and he should be the fulcrum of his country’s attack.
Miguel Layun has also put in some impressive performances recently and will look to impress.

CAMEROON

The Indomitable Lions come into this World Cup off the back of an argument over bonuses that almost saw them go out, and will need to be as focused on the football as possible if they wish to be the first African team to win the trophy.

PROBABLE STARTING XI

(4-3-3)
          Itandje
    Djeugoe—————Matip—————-N’Koulou——————-Bedimo
          Enoh—————————————-Song
                  M’Bia
                                                                                            Moukandjo———————————————————-Choupo-Moting
  Eto’o

PLAYER TO WATCH

SAMUEL ETO’O

As is tradition for Cameroon, released Chelsea FC striker Samuel Eto’o will be the danger man in this match. Throughout Chelsea FC’s 2013/2014 season, he showed a knack of scoring in big and important games, and every single game at a World Cup finals has your life on the line. He will need to snap at every chance and every sloppy mistake made by the Mexico backline, and then Cameroon will stand a chance. The four-time African Player of the Year will need to be at his best.