Mexico will open their campaign against Cameroon in day two of the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.
Mexico will look to prove their doubters wrong as they collide with an unpredictable Cameroonian side in a match that will have a huge effect on how Group A will look after the first round of competition.
Brazil, who kicked off their campaign with a scintillating 3-1 win over Croatia on Thursday, is expected to top Group A, while Croatia, Mexico, and Cameroon are expected to go toe-to-toe for the second spot to earn a slot in the knockout stages.
The Mexican side went through a lot in their build up for the tournament, making coaching changes after three coaches parted ways with the club last year, and losing key players like Luis Montes, who went down in one of their pre-tournament friendlies with a broken tibia and fibula.
But despite all the drama that filled their tournament build up, Mexico coach Miguel Herrera vowed that his players will play inspired football, while also adding that they will go all out and fight to death against Cameroon to jump start their campaign on a bright note.
"Every training session leaves me easy and calm knowing every player will leave their last bead of sweat and last breath on the field to please the Mexican fans," Herrera said via SuperSport. "We will fight to the death."
Mexico will have their hands full, though, as they try to slow down Cameroon striker Samuel Eto'o, whose experience and striking prowess is expected to make life difficult for Mexico's defensive line.
However, Herrera said that he is planning to deploy a five-man backline to neutralize Eto'o, who has scored 56 goals for Cameroon, while also leaning on team captain Rafael Marquez's familiarity with the Cameroonian striker.
Marquez knows Eto'o well having played alongside him in Barcelona over the past several years, and the Mexican captain is looking forward to his matchup against his Barca teammate.
"That will be something special because Eto'o is a good friend of mine but now he is my opponent," Marquez said of Eto'o. "He is one of the pillars so it will be key to always be on top of him."
The Mexico vs Cameroon match is scheduled to start at 12 p.m. EST, Friday, and will be shown live on ESPN2 and through online live stream via WatchESPN.
