World Cup 2022 - Amir Abdou: "I expected much better from Cameroon"
Cameroon lost to Switzerland. Mauritania coach Amir Abdou breaks down the defeat for SNA.
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How did you assess the performance of the future world champions, given that Samuel Eto’o, president of the Cameroonian Football Federation, has made the Indomitable Lions the successors to France?
(Laughs) They will need to show something different, if only to hope to reach the second round. That won't be simple in a group that also includes Serbia, who play very well, and Brazil, one of the favourites. Overall, I was disappointed by Cameroon, who left me wanting more. I expected much better in terms of commitment and desire.
The first half was fairly decent, though…
Yes, there were some interesting moments at times, a few chances, but the forwards and midfielders were too far apart. Cameroon could have pressed a bit higher up to disrupt Switzerland's build-up play. When the Cameroonians had possession, they weren't making good enough use of it. At 0-0 at half-time, I expected them to step up a gear and be sharper.
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"They will need to show something different against Serbia"
Switzerland's goal, scored by Breel Embolo, seemed to take the legs from under them…
Indeed. I thought that Switzerland taking the lead would free the Lions up. That they would take more risks, to get at least a draw. But as you say, it knocked the stuffing out of them. There was no tempo any more. The Swiss were happy to let the Cameroonians have the ball, but they didn't use it well. It's a real shame because they could have done better, even if Switzerland are no pushovers: they were quarter-finalists at the last Euros, they finished top of their qualifying group ahead of Italy, they have experience and a lot of maturity. I think their win is deserved.
On Monday, the Cameroonians have a lot at stake against Serbia. Are you optimistic?
If the Lions play in the same vein, not really. Serbia are a very good team, with a lot of technical quality and good attackers. They finished ahead of Portugal in qualifying, and that's no accident. Either way, if Cameroon want a chance of qualifying, they will need to get a result, because in the last match they face Brazil. The Lions will have to use the ball better, be more efficient, and raise the tempo.
Alexis BILLEBAULT