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NIIGATA, Japan (Ticker) -- Cameroon and the Republic of Ireland clash for the first time when the nations play a crucial Group E contest on Saturday. Drawn in a group with three-time World Cup winner Germany, Cameroon and Ireland may wind up fighting for the other berth into the second round. Cameroon won the African Nations Cup earlier this year. That raised expectations for "The Indomitable Lions" to match their best previous World Cup effort in 1990, when they reached the quarterfinals in Italy. Ireland also made the last eight at Italia '90, thanks partly to a tremendous team spirit. But that same frame of mind was not present throughout the Irish team's preparations in Asia. Captain Roy Keane was sent home by coach Mick McCarthy due to behavior deemed detrimental to the team, particularly his abusive tirade directed at McCarthy himself. Keane, the foundation of the midfield at English giant Manchester United, certainly will be missed as he is Ireland's lone world-class player. But McCarthy's move may prove to be a rallying point for the Irish squad. In the previous two World Cups, Cameroon's national teams were characterized by indiscipline, triggering their first-round exit at USA '94 and France '98. But the 2002 edition has been coached by strict disciplinarian Winfried Schafer. The German seems to have instilled organization and desire into a squad already blessed with skill, creating a dangerous team. Despite being held to a 2-2 draw in a friendly against England on Sunday, Cameroon dominated possession against one of the tournament's stronger teams. Forwards Patrick Mboma, Samuel Eto'o and Geremi give Cameroon plenty of goal-scoring options and the trio possess the skills to worry any defense in the tournament. Midfielders Marc-Vivien Foe and Salomon Olembe, and defender Pierre Wome show "The Indomitable Lions" to be a side with quality players throughout the lineup and a threat to advance to the knockout stages. The absence of Keane exposes an average midfield, forcing the Irish to rely upon their defenders and forwards to work out results. Ireland goalkeeper Shay Given is coming off a strong campaign for Newcastle United and may be a key factor. Defender Steve Staunton, Keane's replacement as captain and the Republic's all-time caps leader, will need to use all of his experience to marshall the back four. The young Irish strikers may prove to be the stars of the side. 23-year-old Damien Duff and 21-year-old Robbie Keane have the ability to provide the scoring punch, assuming they receive the neccessary service from midfielders Jason McAteer and Kevin Kilbane. |
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