The nation that thrilled the world with the emerging power of African
soccer by reaching the quarter-finals in the 1990 tournament have not
been on such great form in recent years.But spearheaded by striker
Samuel Eto'o, they have rediscovered their roar under coach Paul Le Guen
and will carry the hopes of many people not just in Cameroon but across
the African continent as it hosts its first World Cup.Japan are
putting on a brave face but they have struggled to score goals and look
destined to be the supporting cast in Group E, which also features
Denmark and Netherlands.Eto'o will need to put a spat with former
Cameroon great Roger Milla behind him when he leads his team out at
Bloemfontein's Free State Stadium.Milla questioned the Inter Milan
player's commitment to his country, prompting Eto'o to threaten to miss
the tournament. But the three-times Africa Player of the Year had a
thumbs-up and smile for the crowd when he arrived in Durban on Thursday.Frenchman
Le Guen, who has turned Cameroon around since his appointment in July
last year, said the strong and experienced squad was in good fettle
despite the Milla/Eto'o row and the failure to win any of their warm-up
games."We had a good preparation and we are optimistic," he said.
"We have pressure but it's not a surprise for me. It's normal. We have
good players, we have a good team, I am hopeful."The partnership of
Jean Makoun and Alexandre Song in central midfield will also be crucial
if Cameroon are to repeat former glories and dance once more around the
corner flag, as Milla memorably did in 1990 after scoring.The Lions
were the first African side to reach the last eight and have the most
appearances by any African nation.Struggling
Japan have failed to win a World Cup match on foreign soil and are
desperate to find their scoring touch.Fans of the Blue Samurai will
place their hopes on attacking midfielder Keisuke Honda, who might even
be used as a striker."I have practiced this way of playing form
time-to-time and I have been told there is possibility of having this
role," the 23-year-old told reporters after Japan labored to goalless
draw against Zimbabwe in their last warm-up game on Thursday."It is
the first time for me to take that role and I found it fairly
comfortable. The playing time was short but I had a good number of
chances. We didn't score but created some good attacking patterns," he
said.The Zimbabwe result followed four matches in which Japan
managed just one goal, in a 2-1 defeat by England.Midfielder Makoto
Hasebe acknowledges the lack of firepower is a problem but still
believes Japan have a fighting chance."Our problem in scoring goals
is an issue that has needed addressing for quite some time and it is
something we are acutely aware of," he said."I think we have a real
chance of beating Cameroon as they are not at their best. It won't be
easy, of course, but the main thing is that we are all in top
condition."Japan qualified for the finals in style behind Australia
in the Asia/Oceania group but will find the power and pace of Cameroon,
Denmark and Netherlands a different ball game to facing the likes of
Qatar and Uzbekistan.
