Cameroon Camp Focus - How well does Le Guen know his team?
Paul Le Guen’s tactics look to be heavily scrutinised after the lacklustre showing against Japan. The former PSG Coach has tinkered with Cameroon for almost a year now and his record of games without a win has continued from the warm-up matches into the World Cup finals.
Amidst the blast of horns jutting into the Free State Stadium, fans and pundits alike were left wondering what Samuel Eto’o was doing on the right wing. Played out of position, the Inter forward has so far appeared disinterested and has not exerted his leadership enough through the team. The Lions’ star man has recently been accused of not replicating his prolific club form on the international scene by legend Roger Milla, Eto’o dismissing the allegations, but so far (including the warm-up matches) failing to prove Milla wrong.
Paul Le Guen has claimed he aims to emulate the history-making Cameroon side of Italia 90 and while this is what every Cameroonian wants to hear, the possibility of the Indomitable Lions reaching the quarter-finals on the strength of Monday’s performance seems doubtful. Many feel that Cameroon have the best chance of the African sides at the finals but the Lions have not looked so indomitable, the cautious start needs to gather pace and wield confidence. The image of Paul Le Guen in the dugout hands clasped in prayer hoping for a miracle sums up his tenure as Lions Coach but one cannot help thinking he is his own worst enemy. Le Guen’s reformation of the national side has not stabilised, experienced outfield players Achille Emana, Geremi and Mohammadou Idrissou were introduced late as the Coach almost realised his errors, Idrissou inserted experience but his clambering heavy feet contrasted Eric Choupo-Moting’s wiry sharpness. Le Guen must realise that the starting XI against Denmark will need more familiarity of the World Cup and Eto’o’s position must be cemented in the centre of the attacking 4-3-3.
Pierre Webó is one of the side’s more dangerous forwards and has looked lively in the preparation matches but could not find the net against the Japanese. This however could not be attributed solely to the Mallorca forward as the shorn creative midfield lacked a supply of the ball through the centre, there is no doubt that Eto’o’s position should have been firmly in the middle to finish the sporadic chances Webó missed. Instead, the captain was isolated on the right, often stuck in his own half unable to lead by example and threaten the opposition goalkeeper. It was bemusing and a waste of one of the world’s greatest strikers.
Tactical mistakes preceded the loss to Japan, the key error being the omission of Arsenal’s Alexandre Song who often deputises at centre-half and could have proved useful in defending set-pieces such as the unmarked back post which fellow defensive midfielder Stéphane Mbia left open for the goal. Song also has a knack for marauding forward and chipping in with crucial assists which the Cameroonians sorely need. The dire need of a playmaker is offered closest by Achille Emana who was injected to light a spark into the mundane show as he fired a shot from 35 yards that rattled the crossbar.
Cameroon’s remaining fixtures are against Denmark and Group E favourites Netherlands. The game against Japan looked to be one of the Africans’ easier challenges but instead they left Bloemfontein heads hung losing their first ever opening match of the World Cup. Le Guen’s side may have slightly resuscitated themselves out of their catatonic state in the dying stages but if one were to look deeper, the reality is that the Lions’ chances of winning had been cut thin before the first whistle. The selections were dubious when the Coach confirmed he would begin the tournament without veteran keeper Carlos Kameni and midfield lynchpin Alex Song. With the side looking shorn of creative playmakers and easy to penetrate through the middle, Le Guen must be careful not to make the same tactical mistakes against the Danes on June 19.
The Coach’s confused selections and tactics echo the thoughts of a man who does not know his team or the potential they possess, assurance is not guaranteed coaching with a Rafa Benitez-esque insecurity. Le Guen stated ahead of his side’s opening clash that Samuel Eto’o is a champion, then resorted to affixing him to the right wing, perhaps the Coach should play him in the correct position and let him be a champion.
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