| This Group B game between Cameroon and Austria burst into life in the last 30
minutes after the two sides had cancelled each other out for the first hour in the
Stade Municipal in Toulouse. Toni Polster's late, late goal earned his side a
valuable point just as the Lions of Africa were preparing to celebrate victory after
Njanka's breathtaking individual 77th-minute goal. Both sides fielded similar
formations with three central defenders, two wing-backs, three across the middle
and two up front resulting in a dour midfield stalemate with any noteworthy
action coming from long-range efforts. The only real highlight of a disappointing
first 45 minutes came from Pierre Wome's swerving 25-yard free-kick after 32
minutes that was pushed around the post by Michael Konsel in the Austria goal.
After the break the pattern was much the same with Wome again testing Konsel
from distance before Polster and Heimo Pfeifenberger saw similar efforts
flamboyantly saved by Cameroon 'keeper Jacques Songo'o. However, the game
opened up in dramatic fashion as both sides threw caution to the wind in search
of all three points and the first moment of real quality came from the unlikely
source of central defender Pierre Njanka with his wonderful solo effort. That
goal, worthy of winning the World Cup Final itself, looked to have settled the
contest until up popped the veteran Toni Polster to blast home his side's saving
equaliser. The result now means that all four teams in Group B are level on one
point after a game each following Italy and Chile's 2-2 draw in Bordeaux earlier
today. |
(1-0) Njanka (77). The big defender picked up a loose ball on the halfway line and surged into the Austrian half where he
superbly side-stepped Feiersinger before cutting inside Schottel onto his right foot to fire high past
Konsel from 12 yards for an early goal of the tournament contender. |
(1-1) Polster (90). Feiersinger's right-wing corner was nodded on by Pfeffer and the veteran Austrian marksman chested
the ball down before hammering home a ferocious right-footed shot into Songo'o's top right-hand
corner from eight yards. |
