Eto'o out

Semifinals pit African, South American champions

LYON, France (AP) -- In three matches that included victories over World Cup champion Brazil and bronze medalist Turkey, Cameroon has not conceded a single goal.

With Colombia's suspect finishing, it is Cameroon's compact, physical defense that could make the difference in Thursday's Confederations Cup semifinal.

And the African champion will have to rely even more on its defense in Thursday's match now that striker Samuel Eto'o has left the team before the semifinal to return to Real Mallorca for the team's Spanish Cup final.

"He is a guy who can make things happen," said Colombian coach Francisco Maturana, whose team could benefit from the absence of Cameroon's striker.

Cameroon's march to the semifinal has been highlighted by the spectacular winner fired by Eto'o against Brazil, yet it's the uncompromising defense that has gotten the Indomitable Lions into the last four.

Cameroon's only other goal came off a disputed penalty in injury time against Turkey. Against the United States, with qualification already sure, Cameroon didn't try too hard and it didn't score a goal.

With exciting fresh players, the four-time African champion had discovered tactical discipline under its German coach Winfried Schaefer, who has harnessed tremendous talent into a well-functioning unit.

"We came here to show people that Cameroon still has qualities. We are doing that," said Manchester City midfielder Marc-Vivien Foe, one of the older Lions at 28.

"This team wants to build something solid. We learned from past mistakes. Now we seek to impose our game," he said.

Schaefer brought younger players into the squad following the no-shows of several veterans, such as striker Patrick Mboma, midfielder Lauren Etame Mayer and defender Raymond Kalla.

"Once we got into the competition, we were not going to stop," said captain and central defender Rigobert Song. "We are getting along fine, we complement each other and the young ones are learning fast."

The eight-nation tournament has been a much-needed tonic for the wounded pride of the Indomitable Lions, the reigning Olympic champions who were knocked out last year's World Cup after the opening round following an epic five-day journey to Asia and financial disputes.

The last time Cameroon played Colombia was at the 1990 World Cup in Italy, when Roger Milla scored in extra time for a 2-1 victory and a historic first quarterfinal place for an African team.

Cameroon's memorable run at that tournament also included an opening victory over defending champion Argentina and sparked the surge of African soccer. Cameroon, however, never has been past the first round of a World Cup again, despite dominating African championships.

Many Cameroon players remember watching the 1990 tournament and Milla's goal against Colombia as kids. They are not the only ones with memories.

"Actually, Cameroon is a team we wanted to meet here," Colombia captain Ivan Cordoba said. "This is our chance to get revenge for the loss in Italy."

"We are aiming to reach the big final," said the Inter Milan defender, who returns after a one-match suspension.

Colombia, the South American champion, snapped its 13-month scoring drought at this tournament with a 3-1 win over hapless New Zealand. But two of those goals came after the Kiwis had been reduced to 10 men and the 1-0 win over Japan came off a massive defensive blunder.

Two of Colombia's four goals have come from Giovanni Hernandez, the Deportivo Cali playmaker.

"Cameroon is a team that sits back in defense and then counterattacks," Hernandez said. "We'll be facing a team of great physical strength, with a great soccer history. We need to use our slick passing game. That's the way for us to get to a goal."

Maturana's team is hungry for success at the Confederations Cup, to help it put behind the disappointment of failing to qualify for last year's World Cup.

In the other semifinal, France plays Turkey at Saint-Denis.

 

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