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 circumstances, 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 crew’s defensive linchpin with a watch for the occasional purpose. If he can discover type, we could possibly be anticipating some fireworks on Monday.
Serbia’s muscular stature, nevertheless, poses a troublesome 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 crew. 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 need a bodily, aggressive recreation, however might want to maintain their self-discipline.
Brazil managed to unpick Serbia of their first World Cup match in Qatar by fixed prodding and poking, ultimately 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 aren't vigilant.
Cameroon had the perfect of the primary half of their opening match in opposition to Switzerland on Thursday, displaying they pose a menace on purpose in opposition to even sturdy opposition.
Off the pitch, FIFA is investigating images that appeared to point out a Serbian nationalist flag hanging within the crew’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 need to depart that controversy behind after they take the sector. Or Cameroon could properly make them pay.
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