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The main goal is not to concede

"It's not about the system, it's about the players on the pitch" - a phrase that applies to this game. Both coaches have announced a team packed with hard-working players, which means the beauty of the game will be of secondary importance

Mexico have concluded the WC preparations with two minimal defeats without conceding a goal. It was not a good introduction but Herrera's players didn't disappoint in terms of performance as much in terms of efficiency. The atmosphere got a bit livelier after Croatia's defeat last night, which definitely works in their favor in the battle for the second spot. Today, they have to do their task against Cameroon.

- We will fight to the death - said Herrera and added:

- We have been doing great in recent training sessions. The motivation among the players is huge, I even had to calm them down at certain points so that they don't burn out from all the desire.

As is usually the case, Herrera didn't try to hid his hand ahead of the game but he showed his entire first 11. Ochoa will start on goal and the rest of the team will be in a 3-5-2 formation. 

The center of their defense will be handled by experienced Rafa Marquez, along with Rodriguez and Moreno on his sides. Very offensively oriented Aguilar and Layun will be the wing-backs and Mexico's game will depend a lot on their performance. All the more so as their midfield trio is very defensive. Vasquez will be the bond between defense and offense as the DM, stepping into Montes's spot. Dos Santos and Peralta will be up front, which mean Chicharito will not start the game.

- We will start the game with two forwards and five at the back. We should be careful and close down our goal. Cameroon can be very dangerous, especially through Eto'o. We must not give them a chance to get in the game - said Herrer while experienced Marquez added:

- Eto'o is a good friend of mine and I know his qualities very well. There's no doubt he's their best player and we will have to pay special attention to him.

Apart from Montes and Medina who have been ruled out earlier, Mexico are complete ahead of this game.

Cameroon did not have the best introduction for the WC. Regardless of the fact that they won their last game and drew against Germany, they had problems outside the pitch. There has been a lot of talk about the boycott of players who departed for Brazil late as they didn't agree on their fees with their FA. They were scorned for that by their fans and coach Finke has a tough task of bringing his team up to the optimal level and making them focus on things on the pitch. Last night, they had a visit from their Minister of Sports, but it seems he didn't have much of an effect. 

- There were some problems between the players and the state but it's something one should be able to cope with in Africa. Things are different there than in Europe. I believe these disagreements will not affect my team's performance - said Finke and then turned to more positive topics:

- Eto'o and Mbia have had a normal training and are completely ready. The fact that we will have both at our disposal is a great reinforcement for us. 

Cameroon should have the 4-5-1 system without the ball and transform it into 4-3-3 when they have the possession. Looking at the announced squad (which should be taken with a grain of salt as Finke hasn't confirmed it), one can see that it should not breed too much attractive football. They will have a trio of 'workhorses' in midfield, players who will run for miles and miles but will have a hard time creating a chance against Mexico's organized defense. 

- We were a complete flop at the last WC. We are coming for vengeance here. I think we can reach the next round. The first step would be to stay undefeated today - said defender N'Koulou.

Midfielder N'Guemo and winger Salli are doubtful for this game but the question is whether they would have started it in the first place.

Referee Roldan from Colombia is one of the most perspective refs from South America. One can see that his criteria are much harsher in their national league than at the international level. In last 8 games, he distributed 35 yellow and 7 red cards. He's definitely not the man to toy with...

Some interesting facts to wrap this up. Mexico have not won their last three games against African countries at the WC as they lost once and drew twice. In addition, Mexico is the country with the most defeats in the final stages of this competition (24). Of course, some teams would be happy just to have so many games at that level. Cameroon have so far scored 17 goals at the World Cups but none of them from outside of the penalty box. Two were from penalties and the rest from within the box. 

Whoever loses this game will definitely lose any chance of getting through. Because of this, I expect a very tough game with lots of tensions if things don't go the right way for one team. Anyway, I don't think we will see any free-flowing football but a real battle. After all, that's what the selection of players shows: Marquez (27 games/8 yellow cards this season), Aguilar (21/6), Rodriguez (17/4), Moreno (37/8), Guardado (29/7); while cards are nothing strange to their midfielder Herrera (39/10) and forward Peralta (27/7). Cameroon have their own say in this, most notably in midfield with Enoh, Song and Mbia as the main midfield destroyers. As the icing on the cake, we have referee Wilmar Roldan. As was said in the preview, he has given 34 yellow and 7 red cards in last 8 games. On the international level, he has a very colorful stat: 8, 6, 6 ,4 and 1 red, 5 and 1 red, 6, 5, 6, 6 and a red. We have good odds here for the option in which the bet is void in case of 4 yellow cards.

Mexico play in a 5-3-2 system and have huge problems with scoring. Their minimal defeats against Bosnia and Portugal without scoring a goal are more relevant than their 3 goals against Israel and Ecuador as the Israeli keeper helped them in the first and in the second they scored goals from 25-30 meters out, which is not something to expect on a regular basis. In addition, Mexico have a very tough group. First up, we have Cameroon against whom we can expect a real battle today (an under 2.5 goals is at about 1.5-1,6), the the game against Brazil in which they don't have much of a chance, and another hard fight against Croatia Even if they go through, they will probably face Spain against whom they don't have much to hope for. On the other hand, we have a completely new England with lots of attacking potency from Liverpool's players. Sterling, Sturridge and Rooney will be a dangerous trio for any team to face. True, the English are facing tough games against Italy and Uruguay but they also have Costa Rica against whom they can score 3-4 goals (the last game in the group in which they will need a win and Costa Rica will be thinking about their flight back home). I expect England to go through and face Colombia/Ivory Coast/Japan/Greece, where they will be the favorites. So, I wouldn't be surprised if they play a game or two more then Mexico and even if they don't pass their group, it seems the English can score more against Costa Rica than Mexico can in all three games.

Even if they win by a few goals, it's hard to see Cameroon dominate possession. Their main handicap is the lack of real midfielders with offensive qualities and I doubt any team on the WC will rely on counters as much as them. Mexico have had technically more gifted generations but players like Guardado, Herrera and Dos Santos are still better than Song and Enoh in this respect, and possession football is in their genes. Cameroon will try not to give them too much of an initiative, they will force the possession in the safe zone and stall the Mexicans but I still think the Mexcians will outdo them by several percentages.