Cameroon target Japanese scalp

BLOEMFONTEIN,  South Africa (AP):

After shrugging off criticism from Roger Milla and deciding not to skip the World Cup, Samuel Eto'o will get his first chance today against a struggling Japan line-up, to prove that he can produce his best football for Cameroon.

The Indomitable Lions' preparations have been overshadowed by a nasty spat between Eto'o and Cameroon great Milla, who questioned the Inter Milan striker's performances for the national team.

Eto'o, who is Cameroon's all-time leading international scorer with 42 goals, threatened he'd miss the marquee event, but decided the first World Cup in Africa was too important to miss.

And he has the full support of Cameroon coach Paul Le Guen.

"He is my captain, a great player, one of the best players in the world and he wants to do well," said Le Guen, adding that Eto'o "is fit, he is ready to fight and be a good captain for us during this World Cup."

Eto'o didn't lead from the front in the recent warm-up matches. After getting sent off in the 3-1 loss to Portugal for picking up a second booking, he later missed the 4-3 loss to Serbia.

Those two losses and three draws mean Cameroon hasn't registered a win in five matches, despite a glut of talent including Arsenal midfielder Alex Song, Tottenham defenders Benoit Assou-Ekotto and Sebastien Bassong and Mallorca striker Pierre Webo.

While Cameroon's form hasn't been outstanding, Japan's has been worse.

The Japanese have recorded four consecutive loses in the run up to the tournament, scoring just one goal in that stretch as coach Takeshi Okada has consistently tinkered with his line-up in a bid to find the best balance.