Football: Eto'o display gives Cameroon World Cup boost

MONCHENGLADBACH, Germany - Cameroon coach Volker Finke says Chelsea striker Samuel Eto'o gave his side a timely World Cup boost with an impressive display in their 2-2 friendly against Germany.

The 33-year-old Cameroon captain had laboured with groin and hamstring injuries during the Indomitable Lions pre-World Cup camp in Austria.

But the Chelsea star, who is now a free agent and has been linked to a move to Arsenal, produced an impressive display over 92 minutes against Germany in Moenchengladbach on Sunday.

He was a constant menace to the hosts' defence and put Cameroon ahead with a well-taken 62nd-minute strike.

And he created the best chance of the first-half with a superb defence-splitting pass which Benjamin Moukandjo failed to convert.

With 114 caps and now 55 goals for Cameroon, Eto'o is a key factor in his country's bid to reach the World Cup knock-out stages for the first time since 1990.

"I'm pleased he lasted so long out on the pitch after coming to us injured from Chelsea, we'll have to see how he is in the next few days," said Finke, who will submit his final 23-man squad on Monday.

"With his quality, he always presents himself in dangerous situations and he's simply an exceptional striker." Eto'o missed last Thursday's 2-1 friendly defeat against Paraguay and Cameroon's German boss Finke had said the veteran would "only play a few minutes" against Germany.

Finke's Indomitable Lions play their final warm-up match against Moldovia in Yaounde on Saturday having drawn with Germany after Eric Choupo-Moting's late equaliser.

Their opening World Cup match is against Mexico on June 13 in Group A where they also face Brazil and Croatia.

"It was important to get a good result against Germany and show what we can do, but the all important thing for us now is June 13," added Finke.