Pre-Tournament Game Update: May 30th

Probably the only post today as I compile data for the group previews. Those should start Monday, which is last day for squads to be cut to 23.

Yesterday's Results

Cameroon lost 2-1 to Paraguay in Kufstein, Austria

Like their first tune-up game, Cameroon rested several anticipated starters in Brazil on the way to a loss in this friendly. Not a squad representative of what will be seen in the tournament but a couple glaring issues stood out to me watching. Cameroon held Paraguay to just 30% possession and 6 shots, which is fortunate because the Cameroon back line was in shambles whenever Paraguay got around the penalty area. Too often the fullbacks were standing around watching the Paraguayan wingers blow past them on the outside, and when crosses came in to the box, no one seemed to have a clue where their man was, resulting in both Paraguay goals. Against Brazil in particular, they'll get shredded if that happens.

Offensively, Cameroon controlled the play in the midfield, but were out of control in the attacking third, firing shots wide, or carelessly turning the ball over. One scoring opportunity for Aboubakar resulted in a yellow card for diving. The dive looked necessary though, as he had turned a great run in to a lumbering truck towards goal with no idea how to finish the play off. Missing a pair of strikers in Eto'o and Webo but Cameroon looked like they had no idea how to create chances in the attacking third.

One thing Cameroon did very well was use their enormous size up front and in midfield to their advantage. It was clear on set pieces in particular that Paraguay had no answer for the height of the Cameroon team, one of the few advantages they'll have in their group.

Honduras lost 2-0 to Turkey in Washington, DC, USA

Missed chances punctuated this game for Honduras, who gave up a pair of late goals to give a final scoreline not indicative of their performance. Biggest concern may be fatigue for Honduras who clearly struggled to maintain the pace of the first half through the second half. Possibly a result of training camp and not a reason for concern, but fatigue in a night game in Washington isn't the best omen for a team that has to travel to what can be a stifling Brazilian heat in a couple weeks.

Today's Games

Iran vs. Angola at 2:00 p.m. in Hartberg, Austria
Switzerland vs. Jamaica at 2:30 p.m. in Lucerne
England vs. Peru at 3:00 p.m. in London
Spain vs. Bolivia at 4:00 p.m. in Sevilla
Uruguay vs. Northern Ireland at 7:30 p.m. in Montevideo
Bosnia/Herzegovina vs. Ivory Coast at 8:30 p.m. in St. Louis, MO, USA
Chile vs. Egypt at 8:30 p.m. in Santiago

May 31st

Croatia vs. Mali at 10:00 a.m. in Osijek, Croatia
Algeria vs. Armenia at 12:00 p.m. in Sion, Switzerland
Russia vs. Norway at 1:30 p.m. in Oslo, Norway
Netherlands vs. Ghana at 2:30 p.m. in Rotterdam
Portugal vs. Greece at 2:30 p.m. in Lisbon
Italy vs. Ireland at 2:45 p.m. in London, England
Mexico vs. Ecuador at 4:00 p.m. in San Francisco, CA, USA
Colombia vs. Senegal at 5:00 p.m. in Buenos Aires, Argentina

June 1st

USA vs. Turkey at 2:00 p.m. in Harrison, NJ, USA
Germany vs. Cameroon at 2:30 p.m. in Monchengladbach
Belgium vs. Sweden at 2:30 p.m. in Solna, Sweden
France vs. Paraguay at 3:00 p.m. in Nice
Honduras vs. Israel at 8:00 p.m. in Houston, TX, USA