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Olympic Soccer: Cameroon Not Overawed by Brazil

By TALES AZZONI
Associated Press Writer

SHENYANG, China (AP) - Cameroon is promising to create problems for Brazil when the teams meet in the Olympic football quarterfinals on Saturday.

"We are not afraid of anybody, not even Brazil," coach Martin Ndtoungou said. "Of course, Brazil is a favorite for the gold medal, but I think we are too."

The coach said his players will not be overawed by Ronaldinho and his teammates, and that his team will come out attacking to try to put some pressure on the Brazilians at the Shenyang Olympic Stadium.

"We will not sit back on defense," Ndtoungou said. "We will focus on the attack."

Ndtoungou was an assistant coach when the Africans stunned Brazil in the quarterfinals of the 2000 Sydney Games, winning 2-1 in extra time despite playing two men down when regulation time ended. Brazil was led by 20-year-old Ronaldinho at the time.

Cameroon went on to win its first and only title in a 5-3 penalty shootout against Spain in the final. That team included Samuel Eto'o, who was not released by FC Barcelona to play in the Olympic tournament this year.

The squad's top player at the Beijing Games is Arsenal defender Alexandre Song.

"That was an unbelievable match," Ndtoungou said. "We will never forget it."

Cameroon lost to the Brazilians in group stage at the 1994 World Cup in the United States, but pulled off another upset in the 2003 Confederation's Cup, when Eto'o scored a late the winner.

"We wished (Eto'o) could make it, but it wasn't possible," Ndtoungou said. "We will play with what we have."

Ndtoungou also won't be able to count on two regular starters against Brazil at the Shenyang Olympic Stadium _ suspended midfielder Georges Mandjeck and defender Paul Bebey. Mandjeck was ejected in the match against Italy and Bebey received his second yellow card.

Cameroon was second to Italy in Group D, drawing South Korea 1-1, beating Honduras 1-0 and playing the Italians to a 0-0 draw in the last match to clinch the quarterfinals berth.

"We have good defense and good attack," midfielder Frank Songoo said. "We are confident."

The Brazilians are already expecting Cameroon to come out attacking on Saturday, and are hoping to use that as their advantage.

"It's normal for them to play offensively," Brazil assistant coach Jorginho said. "But they better worry a bit about defense too."

Brazil is trying to win its first Olympic gold medal in football.

AP-CS-08-15-08 0216EDT