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Wednesday June 18th - 1:00PM | ||
| vs | CROATIA | ||
| FIFA RANKING 50 | FIFA RANKING 20 | ||
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| HOW THEY QUALIFIED |
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| CAMEROON Drawn in perhaps the most open group in Africa, alongside Libya, Congo DR and Togo, Cameroon survived the challenge with the help of an overturned loss because of Togo's fielding of an ineligible player. Ultimately the Lions did enough anyway with a 1-0 defeat of the pace-setting Libyans in their final match that saw them finish with 13 points from six matches. Once in the final play-off round, they handled a tough task against Tunisia with aplomb. A scoreless draw on the road gave way to a 4-1 home win that has Volker Finke's side feeling confident about their trip to Brazil. CROATIA Croatia put their fans through the emotional mill in their qualification campaign. The Balkan team looked to be cruising after winning five and drawing one of their first six games, but they then took just one point from the next 12 available, losing at home to Scotland (1-0) and Belgium (2-1). Their good start eventually laid the foundation for a second-place finish, two points ahead of Serbia but nine adrift of runaway leaders Belgium. |
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RECENT RESULTS |
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| CAMEROON | CROATIA | ||
| 17/11/13 - CAMEROON 4-1 TUNISIA 07/11/13 - CAMEROON 4-1 IVORY COAST 13/10/13 - TUNISIA 0-0 CAMEROON |
19/11/13 - CROATIA 2-0 ICELAND 15/11/13 - ICELAND 0-0 CROATIA 11/10/13 - CROATIA 1-0 BELGIUM |
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| PLAYERS TO WATCH | |||
| CAMEROON Samuel Eto'o remains the world-class threat up front, although the charismatic figure, who still serves as captain, has gone in and out of the team. But even without the Chelsea veteran, the side if loaded with experience and high-level talent. Nicolas N'Koulou, Benoit Assou-Ekotto and Aurelien Chedjou remain vital at the back, while the midfield is even more loaded with Alex Song, Jean Makoun and Stephane Mbia at the heart of the team. |
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| CROATIA Experienced captain Darijo Srna is a born leader, and playmakers Luka Modric and Niko Kranjcar can always be relied upon for moments of inspiration. Kovac presides over a wealth of international-class attacking talent including Eduardo, Ivica Olic, Nikita Jelavic and Mario Mandzukic. |
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