27, September 2022
Football: Son’s header lifts South Korea past Indomitable Lions 0
Son Heung-min scored for the second straight match on Tuesday to lead South Korea to a 1-0 victory over Cameroon in their latest World Cup tune-up.
The star striker headed the ball home after an initial shot from Kim Jin-su was deflected by goalkeeper Andre Onana in the 35th minute, and South Korea then hung on for the win in front of 59,000 fans at Seoul World Cup Stadium.
On Friday Son had netted a free kick in a 2-2 draw against Costa Rica.
South Korea and Cameroon, who are both Qatar-bound for the World Cup, had few serious chances at goal prior to Son’s header.
Lee Jae-sung’s diving attempt in the fifth minute forced a tough save from Onana, while Cameroon’s Moumi Ngamaleu fired a right-footed shot over the net in the 26th.
Cameroon nearly levelled the score in the 43rd minute when Bryan Mbeumo’s effort ricocheted off the body of defender Kwon Kyung-won and struck the crossbar.
South Korea had a chance to double their lead two minutes into the second half but Jeong Woo-yeong’s header sailed over the net.
The Cameroonians’ push for an equaliser proved futile, with Olivier Ntcham sending his left-footed shot right of the net in the 51st minute.
Goalkeeper Kim Seung-gyu helped the Koreans keep Cameroon at bay, proving up to the task when Martin Hongla tested him with a right-footed shot in the 70th.
Son came close to grabbing a brace with an 87th-minute free kick but the shot landed on top of the goal netting.
Source: AFP
7, October 2022
Rigobert Song told he is not good enough to coach the Indomitable Lions at World Cup 0
Cameroon coach Rigobert Song has been criticised for his style of play and a lack of fluidity.
The 2022 FIFA World Cup bound team suffered two defeats during the recent friendly window, falling 2-0 to Uzbekistan and 1-0 to South Korea in eastern Asia.
With just over a month left before the tournament starts, the coach’s popularity in his country has waned.
And his former teammate in the Cameroon’s 2003 Fifa Confederations Cup side, Achille Emana, believes Song is not good enough to manage the Indomitable Lions at the World Cup.
“We shouldn’t have sacked (former coach) Tony Conceicao so quickly. With all the respect I have for [Rigo], he must not lie to himself, he is not up to it,” Emana said, as cited by BBC Africa.
“Of course he qualified us for the World Cup but since he took over, he hasn’t improved the team or figured out his first team. If we go to Qatar in this state, then we are heading straight for disaster.”
Despite the criticism, Song continues to enjoy the support of the president of Cameroon’s football federation, Samuel Eto’o.
The Indomitable Lions will meet Brazil, Serbia and Switzerland in Group G at the World Cup.
Source: Soccer 24