In what would be Africa’s first game of the 2014 World Cup tournament in Brazil, Cameroon was pitched against a more fancied Mexico team in Natal. A youthful Cameroon side, however, could not hold out against the Mexicans, and lost the game by a lone goal.
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For the first ten minutes of the game, the Mexicans kept almost complete possession running rings around the Cameroon defense. From the 10th minute on, however, the Cameroonians came back into the game, making some decisive incursions into the Mexican goal area. Bonoit Assou-Ekotto showed some pedigree in defense, occasionally springing into the attack.
Perhaps wary not to repeat Referee Nashimura’s mistake in the opening game, between Brazil and Croatia, what appeared as an obvious hand-ball in the 23 minute mark, was ignored, giving the Mexicans a breath of fresh air. Another seemingly obvious hand-ball was again ignored later in the game.
The points of real contention for many, however, is Referee Wilmar Rodan’s ruling out 2 goals from Mexican striker Giovanni Dos Santos. In the 11th minute, the striker took advantage of a great cross to slot home what would have been Mexico’s first, but the goal was disallowed.
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Samuel Eto’s leading the Cameroon attack was not totally effective upfront. Coach Volke Finke, looking totally disinterested with his arms folded, hardly appeared to have an alternative to the long balls the Cameroonians kept playing, even though it was failing to achieve results. In the end, Cameroon lost to an obviously more tactically disciplined Mexican side.
The Ivory Coast is the next African country to play. They will meet Japan on Game Day 3; Saturday June the 14th. Ghana and Nigeria both have games on Monday, June 16th. Nigeria meets Iran in a game that many pundits think Nigeria will win, whilst Ghana will face off with the USA.
Fans are invited to voice their opinions on the games on SaharaTV. They may post comments, and predictions on the Sahara Sports 101 Facebook page, or on any, on the SaharaTV page. Phone lines will also be activated to offer fans the opportunity to pipe in on the games.
In a record-breaking upset, the first Group B match saw defending champions Spain suffering a rather humiliating defeat at the hands of the Netherlands. After conceding in the 27th minute, the Orange boys came from behind to wallop the Spaniards by 5 goals to 1 with goals from Robin van Persie, Arjen Robben and Stefan de Vrij.
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