Cameroon vs. Saudi Arabia (June 6th)
(Saitama Stadium 2002)

I could say that today's match was worth seeing.
Cameroon won this match 1 to 0, but we got much more excited than their first match because Saudi Arabia battled bravely.
Moreover the Japanese usually root for the underdog, I thought the Saudis earned the support of the neutral crowd in Saitama, Japan.
Anyway, Japan's rainy season seemed to be a weakness for them, they suffered consecutive losses and eliminated from the finals.

Before the match, I enjoyed seeing some events around Urawa-misono station of the Saitama Railway.
Kebabs and Cameroon cuisine were sold at open-air stands among them.
I bought some food, but I felt kebabs and beer to be nice.
My favorite foods are the best after all, right?

This stadium is far from Yokohama city, my living town.
To get there takes approx. 15 to 20 mins. walk from the Urawa-misono station of the Saitama Railway; or buses ride from Urawa or Higashi-Urawa station of JR or Kita-Koshigaya station of Tobu Isezaki Line.
Tobu Isezaki Line starts Asakusa, which is popular among foreign tourists.
So we could have drunk after the match if this day had been weekend.
Unfortunately, we had to go to the office on the following day, right?

Click to enlarge each photo.

Game Summary by Official Site

Cameroon struggled to get by a resilient Saudi Arabia but were rescued in the second half by Samuel Etoo’s finish of a superb long-ball. The brave Saudis worked hard for the entire match and earned the support of the neutral crowd in Saitama, Japan.

After losing 8-0 to Germany in their first match, most didn’t give the Saudi’s a chance against the powerful African champions, but they held their own. Nawaf Al Temyat was particularly active, attempting eight shots. After two matches, Cameroon are on four points in Group E along with Germany, who they will meet on 11 June. Saudi Arabia, who are the first team eliminated from the finals, will look for a consolation result against the Republic of Ireland on the same day.