Fresh from a sound 3-1 win over Armenia in their most recent Euro 2012 qualifier, Russia are keen to build upon that momentum. After being unable to win their two previous games against Qatar (1-1) and Armenia (0-0) during the last three months, and then losing to Iran (1-0) and Belgium (2-0) earlier on, the Russians will look to build on their victory with another.
Placed second in Group B of the Euro 2012 qualification table with 13 points – shared with group leaders Slovakia and third-placed Republic of Ireland – Russia are playing host to Macedonia in early September to hopefully consolidate their group status, and a friendly against one of Africa’s top teams will be a positive test for them.
Both teams have met twice at the Fifa World Cup finals in 1990 and 1994, with Europeans always triumphing big, but generations have long changed and the Sbornaya are conscious of the fact that the Indomitable Lions now float a number of sparkling talents who ply their trade in top European clubs.
How to make up for the black Saturday
Cameroon’s chances of reaching the 2012 African Cup of Nations now hang by a thread after they failed to win at home against Senegal on Saturday, ending the clash in a scoreless draw and letting the visitors share the spoils to push near qualification.
With an entire nation still ruing the fluffed opportunity of reviving the central Africans’ campaign for next year’s continental showpiece, especially after a wasted last minute penalty kick by captain Samuel Eto’o, how necessary is a friendly match that comes barely three days after the black Saturday?
Coach Javier Clemente will likely strive to squeeze out some consolation for the FA and authorities, but will hardly pacify millions of local fans who now feel it is all over for the Indomitable Lions and that they will not see them compete in their backyard of Gabon and Equatorial Guinea early next year. What’s the need of a friendly match against Russia?
FORM GUIDE
Russia
4/6/2011 Russia 3-1 Armenia (Qualifier)
29/3/2011 Qatar 1-1 Russia (Friendly)
26/3/2011 Armenia 0-0 Russia (Qualifier)
09/2/2011 Iran 1-0 Russia (Friendly)
17/11/2010 Russia 0-2 Belgium (Friendly)
Cameroon
04/6/2011 Cameroon 0-0 Senegal (Qualifier)
26/03/2011 Senegal 1-0 Cameroon (Qualifier)
09/2/2011 Macedonia 0-1 Cameroon (Friendly)
09/10/2010 Cameroon 1-1 DR Congo (Qualifier)
04/09/2010 Mauritius 1-3 Cameroon (Qualifier)
TEAM NEWS
Russia
Dick Advocaat has announced that Zenit St. Petersburg midfielders Roman Shirokov and Alexei Ionov have been dropped from the squad.
Probable starting XI:
Akinfeev, Zhirkov, Ignashevitch, Berezoutski, Anyukov, Torbinski, Zyrianov, Denisov, Semshov, Arshavin, Pavlyuchenko
Cameroon
Arsenal’s Alex Song is the only known withdrawal from the squad for now due to injury but it is still unclear if all the players who played against Senegal will make the Austrian trip, according to local sources.
Probable starting XI:
Kameni, Assou-Ekotto, Mbia, N'Koulou, Bassong, Chedjou, Enoh, Aboubakar, Eto'o, Emana, Webo
PREDICTION
Russia will tend to impose their historic advantage over Cameroon, but the Central Africans have a mission more than just winning here, but to roll out a performance good enough to wipe the tears of Saturday’s faux pas against Senegals from the faces of home fans.
Russia 1-1 Cameroon
