ACTUALITE |
20.08.2003
Cameroon- Portugal : Win or Quit
The Lions are obliged to beat the Lusitanians if they must move to the quarter finals.
The last two Group C matches, of the first round of the FIFA Under 17 World Cup underway in Finland, will take place this afternoon at Ratina stadium in Tampere. They will be do-or-die encounters as all four teams (Brazil, Portugal, Cameroon, Yemen) stand a chance of grabbing a ticket for the quarter finals. Cameroon is taking on Portugal in the second encounter that starts at 8:00pm, local time. This afternoon’s encounter will determine Cameroon’s stay in the tournament. The baby Lions are obliged to beat the Lusitanians if they must move to the second round; the quarter finals.
It wouldn’t be an easy task. The Lions have so far failed to impress their fans. Last Sunday’s outing was a sham. The team let go a golden opportunity to pick a ticket for the quarter finals after succumbing to a last-minute Yemeni equaliser. The Portuguese will certainly not be an easy ride. As reigning European U-17 champions, Portugal is obviously hoping to move ahead in the championship. After the humiliation from Brazil last Sunday ( 0-5 thrashing), Portugal, second best in the group (3 points) after Brazil (4points), will also want to reassure its fans who have been accustomed to victories at youth and junior levels. The Portuguese are FIFA World Youth Championship winners in 1989 and 1991, five time European U-17 Championship winners (1989, 1995, 1996, 2000 and 2003) and two-time European U-19 champions (1994 and 1999). However, the Lusitanians have never excelled in the FIFA U-17 World Championship; third place in 1989 being their best finish.
The U-17 Lions, as new comers in the tournament, have every reason to make their presence felt. Their spectacular performance in Swaziland earlier this year, when they were crowned CAF U-17 African champions, opened a new chapter in Cameroon’s youth football which fans would like to see it continue. With the return of Mbia Etoundi and Momo Gilbert to the pitch today (they were suspended from the Cameroon-Yemen match for disciplinary reasons), Cameroon will certainly put in a complete team; its best.
It is important that like their seniors (African Cup of Nations´ holders and reigning Olympic champions), the junior Lions should write their names in the golden book of global soccer. They would be following the footprints of Nigeria, Ghana, Burkina Faso and Mali.
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