Who: Cameroon vs Serbia, Group G
The place: Al Janoub Stadium
When: Monday, November 28, at 1pm (1000 GMT)
FIFA rating: Cameroon (43), Serbia (21)
An uncommon pairing, these two groups have met solely as soon as earlier than – in a 2010 worldwide pleasant. And if Monday’s recreation is something like that seven-goal thriller – when Serbia’s 4 edged Cameroon’s three – we’ll all be in for a deal with.
Vincent Aboubakar performed for Cameroon that day as a fresh-faced 18-year-old. Now, 12 years later, he’s captaining his nation on soccer’s largest stage. The veteran striker is used to Gulf situations, having joined Saudi Arabia’s Al Nassr FC final 12 months.
He’s supported by goalkeeper André Onana and star midfielder Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa who each play within the Italian Serie A. Anguissa is the staff’s defensive linchpin with an eye fixed for the occasional purpose. If he can discover type, we could possibly be anticipating some fireworks on Monday.
Serbia’s muscular stature, nonetheless, poses a tricky match to Cameroon’s aptitude.
Sergej Milinković-Savić, commanding midfield, hyperlinks up with the devastating pairing of Aleksandar Mitrović and Dušan Vlahović up entrance, to type a harmful strike staff. And that’s with out mentioning Fiorentina striker Luka Jović.
It’s a make-or-break recreation for either side, coming off the again of losses of their opening matches: Cameroon to Switzerland and Serbia to Brazil. A second defeat for both would depart them on the point of elimination from the World Cup.
Coach Dragan Stojković’s males will desire a bodily, aggressive recreation, however might want to preserve their self-discipline.
Brazil managed to unpick Serbia of their first World Cup match in Qatar by fixed prodding and poking, finally prising open holes of their formation. Cameroon are unlikely to supply fairly the brilliance and dominance of the five-time world champions, however Serbia can nonetheless be undone if they don’t seem to be vigilant.
Cameroon had the most effective of the primary half of their opening match towards Switzerland on Thursday, displaying they pose a menace on purpose towards even strong opposition.
Off the pitch, FIFA is investigating pictures that appeared to indicate a Serbian nationalist flag hanging within the staff’s dressing room for that Brazil recreation final week. The define of Kosovo will be seen on the flag beneath the Serbian nationwide colors, that are emblazoned with the inscription: “We don’t give up.”
Kosovo, which declared independence from Serbia in 2008, has been a member of FIFA and EUFA – European soccer’s governing physique – since 2016.
On Monday, Serbia will wish to go away that controversy behind once they take the sphere. Or Cameroon might properly make them pay.