Cameroon “deserve respect” even though they have already been eliminated from the World Cup, Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari said ahead of their match on Monday.
“They lost one match 1—0 (against Mexico) and another by 4—0 (against Croatia), but playing the whole second half with 10 men,” Scolari said.
He dismissed concerns that the match in Brasilia might be particularly at risk of illegal manipulation.
“FIFA have already made it clear that there is none of that. People say this match is worthless for Cameroon, but honour, pride are not worthless. (Cameroon) players will want to return to their homeland saying they fought,” he said.
“Speaking of manipulation is like those coaches who say that Brazil can pick their rivals: it is disrespectful, not for us but for Cameroon,” Scolari said.
The Netherlands and Chile will be playing in Group B before Brazil-Cameroon and Mexico-Croatia start in Group A, and Netherlands coach Louis van Gaal had complained that Brazil would get to choose their preferred rival.
Cameroon captain Samuel Eto’o is likely to miss the match, because he is still nursing a knee injury.
