2012 Nehru Cup: India face Cameroon tonight and again on Sunday

Team India go into tonight’s last round robin league match against Cameroon at the 2012 Nehru Cup knowing that they will meet the Africans again in less than 48 hours on Sunday evening in the tournaments final. The question is if both the coaches will really play all their trump cards or keep some secrets for Sunday’s final.

Surely, the Africans have been the best team in the tournament, which has been confirmed by India coach Wim Koevermans, “Cameroon are surely a very strong side. They are capable of playing good football and that’s already on display.”

“The match will be interesting. We play Cameroon twice and the final stays the more important one. The last group league match gives us a chance to have a look more at our bench,” Koevermans goes on to say.

Meanwhile, Cameroon coach Emmanuel Bosso said, “We have come to India to show to you all what football in Cameroon is all about. We have mesmerised the world with our brand of football. We want India to have a feel of it too!”

That is for sure, but India will hope that that does not happen today though they’ll be more worried about Sunday. The situation is actually a repeat of 2009, when India faced Syria twice within three days. The group match was lost and then India won in the final on penalties. A repeat would surely be fine with Wim Koevermans and his team, though surely they would like to stay unbeaten in the tournament going into the final.

Coming to talk about India Emmanuel Bosso said, “India have some good players. The No. 6 (Lenny Rodrigues) has impressed me a lot. He can play around in the midfield and stays a potent force. Also, the captain (Sunil Chhetri) and the goalkeeper (Subrata Pal) are key members. But we have our plans.”

Surely Cameroon have their plans as will have Wim Koevermans for India. The Dutchman is considering starting with some of his reserve bench players, giving the boys some match time and some rest to other players, but the final line-up we will get to know only just before the match.

The India vs Cameroon match will kick-off at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium at 19.00 IST and will be live on Neo Prime.