Cameroon v Saudi Arabia: second-half under way

The second-half is under way at the Saitama Stadium in the Group E match between Irish rivals Cameroon and Saudi Arabia.

Cameroon were denied a penalty and what appeared to be a perfectly legitimate goal during a goalless first half of their Group E clash against Saudi Arabia.

Republic of Ireland boss Mick McCarthy looked on with huge interest in this match, fresh from his side’s thrilling comeback against Germany last night.

With Ireland in with a good chance of claiming a place in the knockout stages, McCarthy took the opportunity to check out the Saudis before his squad’s final Group E game in Yokohama on Tuesday.

Saudi Arabia coach Naseer Al-Johar made five changes to the side humiliated 8-0 by Germany in their opening clash.

One of those was enforced upon Al-Johar, with captain and key striker Sami Al Jaber out after failing to recover from an injury to his right ankle.

Following on from such an embarrassment, the Saudis were fortunate not to concede again inside the opening minute when Cameroon should have been awarded a penalty.

Daniel Ngom Kome, the only change to the Indomitable Lions’ line-up which drew 1-1 with the Republic on Saturday, appeared to be clearly tripped in the area by Mohammed Al Jahani.

But to the disgust of all involved with Cameroon, and especially Ngom Kome, Norwegian referee Terje Hauge waved away appeals.

The Saudis, determined to restore lost pride and with Al-Johar having come under intense fire back in his homeland, had the first clear-cut chance in the ninth minute.

Ibrahim Al Shahrani’s whipped-in cross from the right wing picked out lone striker Obaid Al Dosari, the replacement for Al Jaber - but he planted his free header from just 10 yards over the bar of a relieved Boukar Alioum.

After Patrick Wome was the first name taken by Hauge for a foul on Al Jahani, Cameroon were disappointed not to take the lead in the 11th minute when Patrick Mboma rounded goalkeeper and captain Mohammed Al Deayea.

Mboma, who spent the closing few months of last season on loan with Sunderland, then sidefooted the ball home from a narrow angle. But the offside flag had long been raised.

Both sides then wrestled for supremacy, with Cameroon playing the better football yet failing to put Al Deayea under any pressure.