Cameroun- born Embolo’s goal sinks Indomitable Lions
FATE played a tricky one on Yaounde- born Breel Embolo, as the lot fell on him to strike the dagger that condemned the land of his parents, Cameroun, to defeat at the ongoing Qatar 2022 World Cup.
The 1- 0 win at the Al Janoub Stadium gave Switzerland a good platform to plan their move up the ladder in the World Cup, but the goal, sweet as it was for the Swiss, brought sadness to both the scorer and fans of the Indomitable Lions. But it is what it is. To advance in this game, a team must outscore the opponent and that was simply what Embolo helped Switzerland do.
It condemned Africa to a longer wait for victory in this competition, which has already seen a loss for Senegal and draws for Morocco and Tunisia.
Cameroun were looking for their first win in a World Cup since 2002 and after a first half of limited chances, the Africans grew into the game and imposed themselves in the second half.
They should have been 1- 0 up as early as the ninth minute when Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo right- hand side shot from a tight angle was pushed out by Yann Sommer, but Karl Toko Ekambi failed to convert on the rebound with his effort sailing over the bar. Four minutes later, Cameroun fans were ready to celebrate as Eric Maxim Choupo- Moting snatched the ball off Manuel Akanji and ran through on goal, one- onone but his shot was tame and comfortably saved.
Choupo- Moting linked up nicely with Mbeumo, which saw Martin Hongla in a dangerous position, however, his effort was saved once again by Sommer.
Even though Cameroun had looked good in the first half, they were always reminded of Switzerland’s danger when they had two chances from corners missed by Nico Elvedi and Akanji.
The latter should have scored as it was a free header, yet he didn’t manage to direct the ball on target.
Swiss head coach, Murat Yakin’s words at half time certainly worked. Two minutes after the restart Xherdan Shaqiri’s low cross into the middle of the box was dispatched by Embolo, who, understandably, kept his celebrations muted.
Cameroun seemed to lose steam after the goal, with the now emboldened Switzerland almost scoring an identical goal to the first.
Shaqiri once again put the ball into the same area, however, Ruben Vargas’s effort was expertly saved by Andre Onana.
The resulting corner almost presented Switzerland with another goal as the ball looked destined to reach Embolo who would have had a tap in if it wasn’t for AndreFrank Zambo Anguissa’s vital deflection.
Switzerland set up defensively for the remainder of the second half as Cameroun struggled to show any attacking threat.
A brilliant last- ditch block from Jean- Charles Castelleto kept the score line at 1- 0 just before the referee blew the full- time whistle.
Yesterday’s defeat was Cameroun’s eight straight loss dating back to 2002, but the Lions’ boss, Rigobert Song, is more concerned now with winning the next games to take the Lions through to the second round.
“It’s a feeling of disappointment. We wanted more, but football at this level is decided by small details. There was a brief let- up and we conceded a goal,” said Song.