Two will do

By Mark Gallagher, Saitama and Bill George, Chiba City

CAMEROON coach Winfried Schaefer fired a critical parting shot at Saudi Arabia last night amid fears they will fold against the Republic of Ireland in their final Group E match next Tuesday.

The Saudis became the first team to bow out of the World Cup yesterday but a 65th-minute goal from Real Mallorca striker Samuel Eto’o was all that separated the two sides.

A watching Mick McCarthy left Saitama quietly confident that the Republic can defeat the Saudis by two goals and progress into the last 16 of the World Cup finals.

The Republic boss now knows exactly what his team need to do in their final match against the Saudis on Tuesday in order to claim the runners-up place in Group E.

If Cameroon and Germany draw the other match then the Republic will still progress as long as they beat Saudi Arabia by two clear goals.

Alternatively, if there is a winner in the other match Ireland need only beat Saudi to go through.

There is, however, one potentially hazardous outcome. If Cameroon draw 1-1 with Germany and Ireland beat Saudi 1-0 Germany will top the group - and lots will be drawn between Ireland and Cameroon to see who joins them in the second phase.

‘‘Nothing has changed. I knew we would go into the match on Tuesday having to win, and that is still the case,” he said. “The only thing which has changed is that people now accept that the Saudis are a better team than the German game suggested.

‘‘They will work very hard for each other and make it tough for us because they will be playing for pride.

‘‘We have to win by two clear goals - that is the simple fact of the matter.’’

Cameroon coach Schaefer was left unhappy Saudi Arabia had failed to show the same fighting spirit against Germany as they did against his Indomitable Lions, who could easily have been embarrassed themselves but for some poor finishing.

Although Schaefer has thrown down the gauntlet to Saudi Arabia before their clash with Ireland, he does not expect them to pick it up.

‘‘I would like to say congratulations to the new Saudi Arabian team - but I would have loved for them to have fought the same way against Germany,’’ said a critical Schaefer.

‘‘I now have to hope they play the same way against the Republic of Ireland as they did against us - but I do not trust them to do that.

‘‘It means we have to beat Germany because I don’t think Saudi Arabia can beat the Republic of Ireland. I feel confident Ireland will win by at least two clear goals.’’

Schaefer - who has tasted success with Bundesliga sides VfB Stuttgart and Karlsruhe, spending 11 years at the latter between 1987 and 1998 and discovering the likes of Oliver Kahn, Mehmet Scholl, Jens Nowotny, Mike Tarnat and Thorsten Fink - will have no qualms about sending his fellow countrymen spinning out of the tournament.

‘‘Germany are the favourites because they have more experience and they have played in many more great tournaments,’’ added Schaefer.

‘‘It’s a decisive match and one I didn’t want to face. But as trainer of Cameroon I am a Lion and I really want my team to reach the second round - even at the expense of Germany.’’

Saudi Arabia coach Nasser Al Johar felt his side had salvaged a great deal of pride after their mauling at the hands of Germany.

‘‘The team has recovered in this match to reflect a real picture of Saudi football,’’ said Johar.

‘‘In the first match we were all shocked by the performance.’’

Johar promised another battling display when the Saudis tackle the Republic of Ireland in Yokohama next Tuesday.

‘‘We promise that we will do our best in the final match so that we can show the real quality of Saudi football and so that we can say goodbye to the World Cup on a good notes.’’

Al-Johar is putting his money on Germany in their decisive match with Cameroon on June. ”Germany are one of the favourites to win the World Cup and they are capable of winning the match against Cameroon.”

Meanwhile, Germany returned to base camp yesterday with coach Rudi Voeller admitting they were “very disappointed” by the draw with Ireland. However he revealed that their scorer Miroslav Klose would miss the Cameroon game at Shizuoka next week.

Klose, who scored his fourth goal of the finals with a well-taken header finished the night with his right knee heavily bandaged. “It’s nothing serious, just a precaution, said Voeller, “He will be fine for the next game.”

Of more concern to the German coach is lifting the spirits of his men, who were on a high after beating Saudi Arabia 8-0 in their opening match but were brought crashing back down to earth by Mick Mc-Carthy’s men. “What hurts the most is that we conceded that equaliser so late. Had it come earlier, we wouldn’t be as disappointed,” said Voeller. “We lost (sic) to a very good Irish team but our fate remains in our hands. A draw against Cameroon should be enough but obviously this is tough. The players already saw themselves in the second round, they’ll have a bad night, but after that, we will get back to work and we can still make it.”