Eto'o blow to Lions' dreams
[caption id="attachment_36272" align="alignright" width="405"] FATEFUL NIGHT: Croatian Luka Modric, left, is ready for action tonight, but key Cameroon forward Samuel Eto'o is doubtful. Picture: AFP[/caption]
CAMEROON and Croatia clash in Manaus today looking to put their troubles behind them and keep alive their hopes of making the World Cup knock-out rounds.
Having both lost their opening match, a win would be fundamental in staying alive in a tough Group A that includes Brazil and Mexico.
But victory would also allow each side to forget off-field troubles that have threatened to disrupt their preparation.
In the case of the Africans it is the near certain absence of talismanic striker Samuel Eto'o due to a knee injury.
"I am hoping the gods grant me a miracle and that I am able to defend my dear, beautiful country," Eto'o said.
"If this is not the case, I will play my role as captain and especially as the big brother to push my young teammates to victory."
Eto'o's knee problem stems from the end of his club season with Chelsea.
He says he has not been 100% for months and right from the start of the opening 1-0 loss to Mexico last Friday, he was in pain.
"Even in the ninth minute, I felt pain," the 33-year-old said.
After consulting the medical staff it was realised he needed a rest.
Croatia's problems are different as they lick their wounds and try to digest the bitter pill of their 3-1 loss to Brazil last Thursday.
Two key incidents changed the game as Brazil were awarded a contentious penalty to go 2-1 ahead before the Europeans controversially had a goal disallowed that would have levelled the scores.
But worse was to follow at the weekend as players were upset by some overly revealing coverage of their Brazilian campaign.
A Croatian website published photos of naked players frolicking in a swimming pool at their team base in Praia do Forte.
Veteran striker Ivica Olic, 34, accused the country's media of sabotaging their preparations.
"You can write freely that it's really shameful!," slammed Olic in the Sportske Novosti newspaper.
"We came here to represent Croatia, give our best, we are preparing ourselves for a difficult match against Cameroon and then such things happen.
"Is it normal? Do people really need to watch us without our underpants, do our families have to blush? Did media come here for football or something else."
Olic was not one of those exposed on the pictures -- defenders Vedran Corluka and Dejan Lovren were wearing nothing but their birthday suits while playmaker Luka Modric had his trunks on in the photos.
The publication had caused outrage among the players who decided to boycott the media until Olic opted to speak.
The pictures – originally published online – were reprinted by many newspapers and were especially well received by women on social networks.
But they have not helped the mood of players already aggrieved by what coach Nico Kovac described as the ridiculous penalty.
Kovac said the tournament would turn into a circus if referees continue to make such decisions.
So the referee today will likely come under stern scrutiny, particularly since the gaffes by match officials have continued .
Cameroon actually benefited from two seemingly valid Mexico goals being disallowed.
Whatever happens tonight, the sides will be hoping headlines are made for the right reasons. – AFP
