Cameroon’s preparations were rubbish, says Lauren

ARSENAL star Lauren has blasted Cameroon’s World Cup preparations. Lauren says the travel chaos that delayed the Indomitable Lions arrival in Japan by five days has hampered their chances of making progress.

‘‘The way we travelled here was terrible’’, grumbled Lauren, ahead of his side’s clash with Saudi Arabia in Saitama today.

‘‘The way that we prepared wasn’t good enough to play at such a high level like the World Cup.’’

Lauren chose not to single out anyone for blame of the travel farce which led to the Cameroon squad being delayed in Paris and in Thailand en route to the Far East.

Despite his frustrations, the 25-year-old double winner with the Gunners is ready to put the problems behind him and reckons there is nothing wrong with morale in the Cameroon camp.

‘‘It may be dangerous to play them now after losing 8-0. They will want to show everybody they can win again. We know that and we will be trying to win the game,’’ he added.

Cameroon coach Winfried Schafer has already stated he is expecting a backlash, and has warned his players they face a battle rather than the walkover Germany enjoyed.

‘‘I know they will try to play much better and more aggressively against us, but my team will do everything to fight and win this game,” he said.

Meanwhile, under-fire Saudi Arabia coach Nasser Al-Johar has come out fighting ahead of his side’s Cameroon showdown.

Al-Johar is under considerable pressure to restore lost Saudi pride at the Saitama Stadium in the wake of Saturday’s extremely embarrassing 8-0 defeat to a rampant Germany.

Given the revolving door which operates at the Saudi Arabian Football Federation headquarters in Riyadh, as there have been eight changes of manager since 1996, it is surprising to find Al-Johar in a job going into the Group E clash with Cameroon.

Al-Johar has been savaged back home by media and fans, comments which have clearly hurt. Now, Al-Johar has hit back as he defiantly said: ‘‘What happened against Germany was abnormal and unbelievable. It was a disastrous result.

‘‘It’s simply not true that we went into the match without any strategy.

‘‘We promise our fans in Saudi Arabia and in the Arab world to do better in the next two matches. We can still qualify.’’

Changes will be made to the side, although team manager Faisal Abed Al Hadi has made it clear goalkeeper Mohammed Al-Deayea will not be among those axed claiming the 29-year-old remains one of the most talented guardians in Asia.’’

The major doubt surrounds captain and striker Sami Al Jaber, who missed training on Sunday and Monday due to an injury to his right ankle, although it is hoped he will be fit to play.