WORLD CUP SOCCER ’94 / THE FIRST ROUND : Today’s Games at a Glance
GROUP B at Stanford Stadium, Palo Alto
CAMEROON vs. RUSSIA
* TIME: 1 p.m.
* TV: ESPN2, KSCI (Russian), ESPN (delayed, midnight), Univision (delayed, 12:15 a.m.)
* KEY MATCHUPS: Saying he feared his continued presence in the lineup had become a distraction to the team, Cameroon’s leading goalkeeper and clubhouse lawyer, Joseph-Antoine Bell, took himself out of it for today’s game, although he practiced Monday.
But he might have been benched anyway because he did not play well in the 2-2 tie with Sweden and the 3-0 loss to Brazil. Thomas N’Kono, who was the team’s regular goalkeeper in the 1990 World Cup, deserved a chance.
Based on the Russians’ first two games, both losses, whoever is in goal for Cameroon does not figure to face an offensive barrage. They have scored only one goal. But in search of a spark, Coach Pavel Sadryin indicated Monday that he will put 20-year-old forward Vladimir Beschastnykh into the lineup.
* OUTLOOK: Cameroon and Russia are competing for the title of Team Turmoil. The Russians came to the United States without four of their best players because of a dispute with Sadryin, and although the players who are here have worked at forming a tight-knit group, they have been overmatched on the field. The Cameroonians can advance with a victory, which should give them incentive to put their financial problems with their federation on hold.
* OUTCOME: If the Lions’ speed doesn’t wear down the Russians, the heat will. Cameroon 2, Russia 1.
