Cameroon-Austria: 1-1 : Shattered Dreams For Cameroon

Memories of the match between Cameroon and Austria during the 1998 World Cup in France are still fresh in the minds of Cameroonian football lovers. The Indomitable Lions of Cameroon played a 1-1 draw with Austria in their first group B game on June 11, 1988. The match took place at the Stade de Toulouse. That was Cameroon’s fourth participation at the World Cup. Cameroon had a strong team for the match made up of top stars like Patrick Mboma, Desiré Job, Rigobert Song Bahanag, Raymond Kalla Nkongho, Pierre Njanka Beaka and Samuel Eto’o Fils, to name but these. Samuel Eto’o was barely 17 years old and the youngest player in the group. French tactician Claude Le Roy led the team to France. He was there to give guidance to the players. 
The match took place at 9:00 p.m. and at that time, Cameroonians were still getting used to watching football matches played abroad at night. For many, it was a strange experience. 
The match kicked off with both teams hoping to grab the first three points in the group. Both the Cameroonians and the Austrians were full committed in the encounter that seemed tough. Throughout the first half, no goals were scored as each side held firm to their defence. During the second half, Coach Claude Le Roy brought in some players from the bench to strengthen the team. At the 66th minute, Salomon Olembe replaced Augustin Simo and Job Deiré replaced Samuel...