National Teams

Mandžukić's brace

Excellent Croatia
puts four past
ten-man Cameroon

19.06.2014.
Excellent Croatia puts four past ten-man Cameroon
photo by: Drago Sopta/HNS
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In the second match at the World Cup in Brazil, Croatia celebrates its first win after beating Cameroon 4:0.

CAMEROON - CROATIA 0:4 (0:1)
World Cup, Group A.
Arena Amazonia, Manaus.

Referee: Pedro Proenca (Portugal)

Goalkeeper: 0:1 - Olić (11'), 0:2 - Perišić (48'), 0:3 - Mandžukić (61'), 0:4 - Mandžukić (73')

Yellow cards: Eduardo (90')

Red card: Song (40')

Cameroon: Itandje, Assou-Ekotto, Matip, Nkoulou, Chedjou (46' Nounkeu), Mbia, Song, Enoh, Moukandjo, Aboubakar (70' Webo), Choupo Moting (75' Salli). Head coach: V. Finke.

Croatia: Pletikosa, Pranjić, Ćorluka, Lovren, Srna, Modrić, Rakitić, Perišić (78' Rebić), Sammir (72' Kovačić), Olić (69' Eduardo), Mandžukić. Head coach: N. Kovač.

Despite losing to Brazil in the World Cup opening match, Croatia managed to stay in contention for the second round, defeating Cameroon.

Similar to the Brazil match, Croatia took the lead in the 11th minute. Mandžukić was the target in the box, and Perišić found Olić to tap the ball in the net. Soon afterwards, Perišić and Olić came close from a scramble, while Perišić later tried a header.

Before the break, Cameroon went also a man down, with Song sent off in 40th minute for unsportsmanlike conduct against Mandžukić.

foto: Drago Sopta/HNS

Three minutes in the second half, Perišić's breakthrough on the left side made it 2:0, and Mandžukić immediately missed a golden opportunity. Cameroon showed some muscle with Nounkeu and Mbia missing the target, but it was Croatia that held the reins.

Captain Srna had the chance from a free-kick, and the third goal came after Pranjić's corner-kick in 61st minute and Mandžukić powerful header.

Mandžukić scored again 12 minutes later from a rebound, with Itandje stopping Eduardo's shot. The closing minutes offered a couple of chances for both teams, Rakitić's effort went just wide and Webo hit the crossbar.

On Monday, 23 June, Croatia plays Mexico. Another win would see Kovač's men securing a place in the next round.

SP, Group A:
1. Brazil 4 (3:1)
2. Mexico 4 (1:0)
3. Croatia 3 (5:3)
4. Cameroon 0 (0:5)

18.06.2014., , Manaus. Spectators: 39982
Referees: Pedro Proenca (POR), Bertino Miranda (POR), Jose Trigo (POR)
Fourth referee: Walter Lopez (GUA)
Cameroon
0
Croatia
4
16Charles Itandje1Stipe Pletikosa
2Benoit Assou Ekotto3Danijel Pranjić
3Nicolas Nkoulou7Ivan Rakitić
6Alexandre Song
40'
10Luka Modrić
8Benjamin Moukandjo5Vedran Ćorluka
10Vincent Aboubakar
70'
6Dejan Lovren
13Eric Choupo Moting
75'
4Ivan Perišić
48'
78'
14Aurelien Chedjou
46'
11Darijo Srna
17Stephane Mbia17Mario Mandžukić
61'
73'
18Eyong Enoh18Ivica Olić
11'
69'
21Joel Matip19Jorge Sammir Cruz Campos
72'
Bench
1Loic Feudjou12Oliver Zelenika
23Sammy Ndjock23Danijel Subašić
4Cedric Djeungoue2Šime Vrsaljko
5Dany Nounkeu
46'
8Ognjen Vukojević
7Landry Nguemo9Nikica Jelavić
9Samuel Etoo14Marcelo Brozović
11Jean Makoun13Gordon Schildenfeld
12Henri Bedimo15Milan Badelj
15Pierre Webo
70'
20Mateo Kovačić
72'
19Fabrice Olinga16Ante Rebić
78'
20Edgar Salli
75'
22Eduardo Alves Da Silva
89'
69'
22Allan Nyom21Domagoj Vida
Coaches
Niko Kovač

Seeking its first points at the FIFA 2014 World Cup in Brazil, Croatia takes on Cameroon on Wednesday in high spirits.

Cameroon - Croatia
World Cup, Group A.
18 June 2014, 18:00 (00:00 Croatian time)
Arena Amazonia, Manaus.

Just a couple of days ago in Sao Paulo, Croatian national football team enjoyed the World Cup spotlight and despite an excellent performance against the host nation Brazil was left empty-handed. In Manaus, Croatia continues to seek a place in the second round.

"The pitch is OK, and we accept the weather conditions the way they are. We are not looking for any excuses", emphasized Croatia head coach Niko Kovač upon arrival to Manaus, speaking about high temperatures and humidity.

Bayern Munich striker Mario Mandžukić is back from suspension and will be starting the Cameroon match in the first team, while head coach Kovač can count on left-back Danijel Pranjić, recovered from ankle injury.

Midfielder Milan Badelj joined the team after the Brazil clash, replacing the injured Ivan Močinić, and Luka Modrić is fit after having a foot problem.

"Should we play like we did against Brazil, we have a chance of progressing. Nobody will give us any gifts, we go and fight", said Kovač.

The Cameroonians suffered the defeat at the hands of Mexico (0:1) at the start of their Group A campaign, with legendary striker Samuel Eto'o doubtful due to medical issues.

The referee is 43-year-old Portuguese Pedro Proenca.

Considering the goalless draw in the Brazil-Mexico match played on Tuesday, a defeat for Croatia or Cameroon would rule out any possibility of reaching the next round.

"We have to beat Cameroon and Mexico to reach the second round. I believe that we can do the first step on Wednesday", said Mario Mandžukić.

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foto: Drago Sopta/HNS
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