Player Ratings: Japan 1–0 Cameroon

JAPAN

Kawashima – 5.5 - Had some dodgy moments in the first half, despite Cameroon only managing one shot on goal. After the interval his workload was barely increased, though he did save smartly from a close-range shot that would have been disallowed in any case. Looked uncertain under the high ball.

Bet: £5 £10 £20 £50 £100

Returns:

Japan £11.67

Draw £67.50

Oman £150.00

Bet: £5 £10 £20 £50 £100

Returns:

Japan £11.70

Draw £55.00

Oman £110.00

Bet: £5 £10 £20 £50 £100

Returns:

Japan £12.00

Draw £60.00

Oman £120.00

Bet: £5 £10 £20 £50 £100

Returns:

Japan £11.70

Draw £65.00

Oman £190.00

Bet: £5 £10 £20 £50 £100

Returns:

Japan £11.50

Draw £60.00

Oman £115.00

CAMEROON

Souleymanou – 5.5 - Could do little about the goal, but after a first half fumble he never looked entirely in command, perhaps wary of the presence of Carlos Kameni on the bench. Had one meaningful second half shot to deal with, though he made that look more difficult than it should have been.

Mbia – 6.0 - The Marseille player was caught for the goal, allowing the ball to travel over his head having tucked in too tight to the centre-backs. After playing in the middle of the defence for the last six months, it’s an error that’s understandable yet it was crucial. Attacked with purpose at times, though his product was mixed. Thumped a drive off the bar that could have been goal of the tournament.

Nkoulou – 5.0 - Young defender at times showed his inexperience in the game, and could really have done with an old head beside him in the heart of the rearguard. His passing was at times sloppy, and his positioning was questionable. Not what he is capable of.

Bassong – 6.0 - Like Nkoulou, Bassong didn’t look entirely at ease, seemingly worried about the liveliness of Honda. Didn’t make the simple errors his partner did, but at the same time failed to look dominant either.

Assou-Ekotto – 5.5 - Much was expected of the Tottenham Hotspur left-back in an attacking capacity, but he was largely well shackled. When he did get a chance to break forward, it was inevitably wasted, and the 26-year-old also allowed Matsui onto his stronger foot to cross for the goal.

Matip – 6.5 - Neat and tidy, the teenager was given a huge responsibility in the heart of the Cameroon midfield. The anchoring player, he didn’t take too many chances, but it may just have helped had he been more prepared to gamble. Withdrawn after an hour.

Makoun – 6.0 - Never allowed to get going in the first half, the Olympique Lyonnais midfielder looked better in the last half an hour when he was played in a deeper role and allowed to get on the ball. From there, he was more progressive with his passing than Matip, and Cameroon looked better as a result.

Eyong – 6.0 - Mustered the Indomitable Lions’ only shot of the first half but equally gave the ball away a little too readily on the left hand side of the central three. When he tackled back he did so well, but in an attacking sense he made too many simple mistakes.

Eto’o – 6.0 - Virtually anonymous for long periods of the game, not due to his personal performance, but because he was stuck out on the right hand side of midfield where the service was limited to say the least. Enterprising burst at the second half, but wasn’t allowed to make a contribution to be proud of.

Webo – 6.5 - By some distance the most active of Cameroon’s three forward players in the early stages of the match, though not all of his contributions were necessarily strong. A good thrust down the right channel brought about a rare first half chance, but he faded after the interval.

Choupo-Moting – 6.5 - Played very narrow at times and was a little erratic down the left but at least offered some kind of ambition. Could be found driving forward regularly and was at least prepared to have a shot, even if the quality was at times questionable.

Substitutes

Emana – 6.5 - Injected some direct running from the Cameroon midfield in the last half hour, though not all of his decisions were good ones.

Geremi – n/a - Placed out on the left wing and was allowed to have little impact after replacing Choupo-Moting for the last 15 minutes.

Idrissou – n/a - Came on for Makoun with 15 minutes remaining to offer another attacking option.