Much like the odds that the New York Giants had of securing a victory against American Football's 2007 season 16-0 dominating performance of Bill Belichick's New England Patriots, soccer pundits and reporters were most presumptively in favor of a loss by the Indomitable Lions of La Republique du Cameroon to the Black Stars of Ghana. Much like them, I underestimated the power of the predictable over the beauty of the unpredictable. The set plays of the Lions and their long balls across the meridian are pretty predictable. There is little doubt that the Black Stars were well prepared for it. But they may have been so well prepared for the opponent that they forgot to bring the unpredictability of the Stars to the field of play and instead copied the Lions style of play.
The lone goal of the encounter by Alain Nkong at the 70th minute of play was a product of Cameroon's predictable play style. It was a long ball to tournament's highest goal scorer, Eto'o Fils, who served the forward running Alain Nkong for a one-two flick of the ball past the keeper of the Black Stars into the net. The only other close call for the Indomitable Lions was a set play free-kick by Geremi Njitap, the Chelsea defensive captain who is intent on equating free-kicks to penalty Kicks. It shook the cross bar but failed to nestle itself into the net.
It is true that the Indomitable Lions of Cameroun play brutish football, especially captain Rigobert Song. Everyone probably agrees that the weakest link of the team is the defense. But it is also an open secret that the wobbly defense is highlighted by a non-existent midfield. It was the much needed adjustment made by its septuagenarian coach, Otto Pfister. He apparently acknowledged the shortcomings of his defense and literally played nine (9) men at the defense. This helped his side a whole lot and assured their qualification for the finals against the eventual winner of the other semi-final clash of the titans between the Elephants of Cote d'Ivoire and the Pharaohs of Egypt.
The Black Stars were not undeserving. Their stellar performance, prior to the loss against the Indomitable Lions of La Republique du Cameroun, was constructed through the marvels of its mid-fielders. Central to the plan was Captain Mensah's ball distributing capabilities. He did not have a chance to play against the Lions, which is no excuse because no one can vouch that it would have changed the outcome of the game. There is also no denying that the Black Stars resorted to trading long-balls and air-balls with the Lions. That was a curious thing for coach Claude Le Roy of Ghana to do, especially because he should have known this to be the forte of the Lions. It may be a factor whether or not the Ghanaian football federation keep or fire him.
One last note: If history serves the Lions well they may win this edition because all their victories have come from distant lands. But don't take my word for it because my bet is always like a curse.
Innocent Chia
Citizen Journalist
Email: innochia@gmail.com.
No comments:
Post a Comment