ACTUALITE |
27.03.2002
Cameroon hold Argentina in pre-World Cup test
GENEVA
African and Olympic champions Cameroon deservedly held Argentina 2-2 here on Wednesday in a World Cup warm-up friendly international.
Pablo Aimar thought he had struck the winner for Argentina 18 minutes into the second half of an eventful encounter which pitted together two gifted sides who represent the cream of their respective continents.
But former Sheffield United man Patrick Suffo headed the equaliser five minutes from the end after a frantic finale which saw a flurry of Cameroon corners, the final one from Geremi Njitap.
Rigobert Song, now with Cologne but previously a misfit at Liverpool and West Ham, had moments earlier gone close with a header which Argentine keeper German Burgos just tipped over the bar.
The result - and the performance - will have boosted the morale of Cameroon coach Winfried Schafer`s troops as he extended his unbeaten run to 10 matches.
But it will leave a question mark against the true abilities of Argentina, who dominated the Latin American World Cup qualifying but who looked brittle at the back at times and missed Roberto Ayala.
Schafer was happy with his side`s showing as he puts the finishing touches to Cameroon`s preparations for World Cup opening phase matches against Germany, Saudi Arabia and Ireland.
"The pace was very quick from kick off to the end and that helped us. We`re happy as it was our first match against one of the big guns.
"We had a few coordination problems in the first half - but we talked about how to correct that and we played better after the interval," said German Schafer.
"We could have won - but it could equally have been 4-4. All our preparation is focused on our first World Cup match (against Ireland).
"It was difficult for me to motivate the players after (February`s) African Nations Cup win and I hope we arrive in Asia in a better frame of mind - but I know many African hopes go with us and we hope to emulate our 1990 showing of reaching the quarter-finals."
The two sides will be in different first round groups at this summer`s World Cup finals - but they famously met in the opening match of the 1990 tournament in Italy where the Indomitable Lions shocked an Argentina side who were defending champions 1-0.
The Argentines are ranked joint favourites along with holders France for glory in the finals in South Korea and Japan this summer but Cameroon matched them all the way and exposed some frailties in the South American defence.
Cameroon had an early escape when keeper Samuel Eto`o appeared to bring down veteran forward Claudio Caniggia but the referee waved play on.
Marc-Vivien Foe, formerly of West Ham but now playing for French league leaders Lens, almost gave the Africans the lead with a towering header against the bar.
But seconds later Aimar was chopped down in the box by Raymond Kalla and Juan Sebastian Veron dispatched the penalty sending keeper Alioum Boukar the wrong way.
The Cameroonians responded strongly and Samuel Eto`o forced Burgos into a good save low to his left. But Eto`o would not be denied and promptly levelled the scores in the 20th minute.
Real Madrid star Geremi sent over a freekick from the left and Eto`o, lurking at the back post, eluded the entire back four to nod home.
Argentine resolved to step up a gear after the restart and they duly took the lead once more as Gerard Lopez found Rangers star Caniggia down the right flank.
Aimar had timed his run as he took the pass and fired past Boukar for 2-1 and coach Marcelo Bielsa briefly looked relieved on the Argentina bench.
But Cameroon, without two established stars in Patrick Mboma and Lauren Etame, should already have led before then as Njitap and Foe combined for Ndiefi, who somehow allowed Burgos to smother his effort from the edge of the six yard box.
Geremi also had time to hit the woodwork and Argentina will count themselves lucky to have avoided an embarrassing defeat.
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