Cameroon coach ashamed of performance

Cameroon coach Volker Finke has called his team's performance at the World Cup "disgraceful" following their 4-0 defeat to Croatia.

Wednesday’s Group A result in Manaus knocked the team known as the Indomitable Lions out of the competition.

Barcelona midfielder Alexandre Song was sent off five minutes before the break for an elbow on Mario Mandzukic with his team trailing 1-0 and Croatia punished Cameroon with three goals after the interval.

To make matters worse, late in the game, a fight broke out between Cameroon team-mates Benoit Assou-Ekotto and Benjamin Moukandjo.

“Some players behaved very badly, and that’s why we have conceded four goals,” Finke said to L’Equipe. “I know that it is difficult to play with 10 men, but that is not a reason to lose it to this point.

“The game was balanced until the red card.

“The Croatians were more clinical in front of goal, but Cameroon also had chances to score.

“The behaviour of some of the players is really not satisfactory. Even when we were 11-a-side, it was not acceptable.”

“We have to sleep and do an analysis and then we can announce something,” he added, apparently referring to possible disciplinary measures after the unsavoury scenes. “There will be consequences stemming from this.”

The chemistry simply was never there for the African side.

The players had threatened to boycott the World Cup due to a dispute with their federation over bonus payments.

“After such a result, we have to admit that it is a disgrace,” the German tactician said. “We must look to the future.”

Cameroon, who lost their first game 1-0 to Mexico, end their tournament against hosts Brazil on Monday in Brasilia.