ACTUALITE |
04.06.2002
Cameroon await Saudi backlash
FUJIYOSHIDA
Cameroon are expecting a backlash from Saudi Arabia after their 8-0 humiliation by Germany, but coach Winfried Schafer insisted Monday that the African champions are ready.
Schafer said the Cameroon team had completely recovered from the jet lag which slowed them during their first Group E game against Ireland and were now 100 percent fit for Thursday`s game against the smarting Saudis.
"You must never underestimate them according to the match against Germany," said Schafer. "Of course they will try to play a lot better against us.
"We have to put pressure on them as the Germans did, attack very early, go inside the box, create many chances, and also play a lot more aggressively and focus on finishing. That`s more important," said Schafer.
Cameroon were disappointed to let Ireland come back into their opening match and snatch a 1-1 draw. Schafter blamed fatigue.
"First of all, it was difficult for us to perform better than we did against Ireland because of the delay we had before our arrival in Japan," said the German coach.
"But the problem was in order to be successful you have to be 100 fit. Teams like Argentina and England, they were here for five days more and they are probably a little bit fitter than we are.
"But our team has achieved a turning point and I`m very optimistic and I`m very confident that our team will have a much better game against Saudi Arabia," he added.
The Olympic and African champions arrived in Japan on May 23 after a bizarre four-day delay amid reports of a dispute over bonus payments and the absence of flyover permits over Southest Asia.
Against Ireland on Saturday, former J-League player Patrick Mboma scored the first goal, to the delight of Japanese fans.
But Cameroon lost their rhythm after Mboma was replaced and Matt Holland scored a spectacular equaliser.
Defender Bill Tchato, who plays in France with Montpellier, said: "Of course we wanted three points for a win, but we are looking forward to the next match against Saudi Arabia. We really want to win and get three points."
After that Cameroon must play Germany in what could be the deciding game for top place in Group E. "We have to do anything possible to win the game. It will be the key game," said Schafer.
"Ireland now play against Germany, and we play against Saudi Arabia. Maybe Germany will be the first team to go through. We just have to see how these two games go. My team will do everything, we will fight for anything," insisted Schafer.
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