Cameroon vs Serbia: It’s win or go home as both nations look for their first points and goals in Qatar
There is no time to lose for both Cameroon and Serbia as both squads blanked in their opening matches.
Cameroon took a 0-1 loss to Switzerland and Serbia just had no answer for the speed and artistry of the always electric Brazilians, subsequently dropping their opener 2- 0.
So, the question now, who has regrouped and put their openers behind them? Serbia will see more of the same pace of play from Cameroon that they were treated to from Brazil, without the same finishing quality.
The key for the Indomitable Lions in this match will be their ability to free up and find space for both Bryan Mbueno and Karl Toko Ekambi. This will be easier said than done as Serbia will play a very disciplined back line and force Cameroon to get creative.
Expect Serbian goalkeeper Vanja Milinković-Savić to be under pressure early and often as Cameroon will want to strike quickly and not play from behind as they did in their loss against the Swiss.
It’s never a good idea to look forward to your next match but if one of these two come away with three points, they will do themselves a huge favour in Group G.
On paper Serbia has the edge having already faced Brazil. So, if Cameroon are unable to secure a win, the only thing awaiting them, before packing for home, will be a date with The Seleção.
Both squads know that this is not just a game for group scraps. The winner can vault themselves right back into the conversation if Brazil prevails against Switzerland as expected. However, at this World Cup, “as expected” doesn’t instill the same confidence. Just ask Germany and Argentina.
Though the Indomitable Lions finished third at this year’s Africa Cup of Nations, they have struggled for form ever since; winning just one of their last six outings – and that solitary success came against a much lower ranked Burundi.
Cameroon midfielder Olivier Ntcham has been ruled out of Cameroon’s remaining group games due to injury, which means Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa and Martin Hongla get the start again in the Lions engine room.
For Serbia, a normally free scoring team that were shut out by perennial powers Brazil on Thursday, it is go time! They cannot hold anything back as they must be prepared to counter when Cameroon presents the opportunity.
The stage is set for the Group G clash on Monday at Al-Janoub Stadium.
