Game 20 Preview: Cameroon vs. Croatia

CAMEROON vs. CROATIA

 Date: June 18, 2014

Time: 6:00 p.m. EDT

Venue: Arena Amazonia, Manaus

Overall Head-to-Head Record (W-L-T): N/A

Last Match: N/A

Line: Croatia -170

Group A Preview here.

Starting Lineups posted separately once they're announced.

Team Profiles 

World Ranking: Cameroon (56th), Croatia (18th)

Managers: Volker Finke (CMR), Niko Kovac (CRO)

Captains: Samuel Eto'o (CMR), Darijo Srna (CRO)

World Cup Appearances: 7 (CMR), 4 (CRO)

Best Finish: Cameroon (Quarterfinals, 1990), Croatia (Third Place, 1998)

Qualifying Records: Cameroon (5-1-2, GF: 12, GA: 4), Croatia (6-3-3, GF: 14, GA: 9)

Previous Game Results

Cameroon

June 13th - Mexico def. Cameroon 1-0

Croatia

June 12th - Brazil def. Croatia 3-1

Rosters

Injuries/Discipline

Cameroon: Samuel Eto'o (Out - Knee), Dany Nounkeu (Yellow Card)

Croatia: Luka Modric (Probable - Foot), Vedran Corluka (Yellow Card), Dejan Lovren (Yellow Card)

Overview

Spain could be staring elimination in the face earlier in the day but this is the first game of the tournament where both teams are definitely headed home early with a loss. With their group mates even on 4 points after yesterday, the bottom-dwellers of Group A enter this game desperately in need of a win and 3 points to keep themselves in the hunt for a knockout round spot.

Croatia have been fortunate enough to get a rare 6-day break in the World Cup schedule after their opener against Brazil, and will play Cameroon with one of their best players back in the lineup. Mario Mandzukic returns from his suspension and should provide some balance to the Croatian attack. This while Cameroon reel from the loss of their striker and captain Samuel Eto'o to injury.

Eto'o has struggled off and on with a lingering knee problem this season and it flared up again in their opener against Mexico. Cameroon are playing coy but no one is expecting Eto'o to be able to play in this match. It's a huge blow for Cameroon as Eto'o is their best threat going forward as well the undisputed leader of this squad.

Having Mandzukic back in the lineup should add another dimension to a Croatian offence that had difficulty creating chances in their opener against Brazil. An aerial threat up top, Mandzukic's presence should force the Cameroon defence back in to their own end and open up more space for the talented Croatian midfield to operate.

The great equalizer in this game will be the Manaus venue. England and Italy were clearly exhausted at the end of their match here on the weekend and the fitness of both teams will surely be tested. What effect that has on the match is yet to be seen.

Personnel

In the Cameroonian Third: It's a Cameroon back line that can let runs through and will lose track of players in the penalty area. The 1-0 scoreline against Mexico is not indicative of the quality of that unit. Croatia should have ample time to set plays up in the midfield and attach the penalty area with Mandzukic and their wingers. Advantage: Croatia

In the Midfield: Cameroon have plenty of size and speed in this part of the pitch. They face an organized Croatian team that sets up defensive lines well and can move the ball freely themselves. Organization vs. athleticism. Advantage: Croatia by a hair.

In the Croatian Third: Cameroon have lots of young talent up front but none of them are proven. They'll sorely miss Eto'o in this contest. Croatia had a bad penalty call and some questionable goalkeeping go against them against Brazil but I felt they held up pretty well in the back. And Cameroon isn't Brazil. Advantage: Croatia

Goalkeeping: Stipe Pletikosa has the better pedigree but was very shaky on a couple of the Brazilian goals. Not to say Itandje was spectacular in the other end either. Could be an x-factor in this game. Advantage: Even

Cameroon will win if:

They are able to prevent Croatia from getting the ball to Mandzukic in their penalty area and they can get offensive pressure off the wings. Croatia's midfield are quick and pass well but Cameroon will much prefer forcing them to shoot from range then allow Mandzukic plays at goal from in close. Up front with Eto'o out, they need Choupo-Moting/Aboubakar or whoever starts on the wings to be able to get downfield against the Croatian fullbacks and either cut towards goal themselves for opportunities or be able to set up crosses for the replacement centre man (likely Webo).

Croatia will win if:

Slow the game down, control possession in the Cameroon half and get back quick if they turn the ball over. Croatia's passing in the midfield will pull Cameroon out of position defensively and lead to scoring chances. They'll also feel better about their finishing ability now that Mandzukic is on the field. The place where Cameroon can burn them though are on the quick counters as they barrel upfield with their size and pace. Cameroon shouldn't have too many scoring chances if Croatia set up defensively. Get back, play defence, and they'll have plenty of chances of their own to get forward.

Prediction

Good night Cameroon and thanks for coming. They were an underdog before losing Eto'o in this match and along with his exit goes almost any hope of scoring for the African side. They might hold out for a while like they did with Mexico but Croatia too strong in all aspects of the game to keep at bay forever.

Croatia 2-0 Cameroon