With Cameroon missing Samuel Eto’o through injury, Alex Song suspended after his foolish red card against Croatia and the bungling Charles Itandje handing opponents goalscoring chances at every opportunity it seems extremely unlikely that hosts Brazil will not breeze past the Africans and into the knockout stages.
Therefore, with the Selecao virtually assured of their progress many neutrals will be focused on the corresponding Group A fixture between Croatia and Mexico which in essence becomes a winner takes all contest, although in truth Miguel Herrera’s have the luxury of knowing that a draw is all they need to advance.
That probably is the biggest threat to El Tri who will face a determined Croatia loaded with attacking flair and decisiveness witnessed in their four-goal mauling of the Indomitable Lions last time out, particularly with Mario Mandzukic looking to add to his two goals against the Africans.
While the Mexican defence, and the outstanding individual performance of Guillermo Ochoa, arguably produced the most accomplished defensive display of the tournament so far against Brazil playing for the draw can often back fire badly.
Starting out with a mind-set of not ‘having to win’ can result in a lack of urgency going forward and if falling behind, which is more than possibly with the Bayern Munich striker now leading the Vatreni frontline, sides often struggle to move up the gears to hit back.
With no suspensions or injury concerns for either side they are expected to line up largely as they have in the last two matches, the inclusion of Inter youngster Mateo Kovacic possibly the biggest change, and could become a battle between a Croatian attack going all out for victory and the Mexicans once more providing a resolute defensive performance while looking to snatch a goal on the break.
Niko Kovac’s side have arguably looked the more expansive of the two in the opening four group matches, briefly shaking hosts Brazil before that convincing victory over Cameroon. In comparison the Mexicans laboured to a 1-0 win over the Africans despite having two goals disallowed, and are still trying to find some attacking momentum.
Against Cameroon at the Estadio Nacional in Brasilia the hosts will also need to find similar impetus after struggling to breakdown Mexico in their last outing and will be hoping that Fred can finally discover the form that saw him become top scorer at the Confederations Cup last summer.
The 30-year-old was once again ineffectual for Luiz Felipe Scolari’s side with his constant drifting into offside positions meaning he rarely had chance to even try his luck against the inspired Ochoa, however, for the match with the Africans they should once again be able to call on the powerful Hulk.
A muscle injury saw him sit out the draw, while the decision to replace him with Ramires clearly backfired and was only partially resolved with the introduction of the tricky Bernard.
Against a struggling Cameroon, who could make several changes due to what felt an inevitable early exit, the Brazilians should defeat the Indomitable Lions who have even failed to show that imposing physicality seen at previous finals and without that the quality of Neymar and Oscar could run wild.
With Brazil taking top spot second place could come down to Ochoa versus Mandzukic, if the out-of-contract goalkeeper can repeat his heroics then Mexico will make sixth consecutive appearance in the knockout stages, however, supported by Luka Modric, Ivica Olic and Ivan Perisic the Croatians could have too much for El Tri toprogress with hopes of repeating their unexpected success at France’98 in their thoughts.
Follow Kevin Pogorzelski on Twitter: @rabbitrabbiton
