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NATAL, Brazil (AP) — Mexico was set to begin its 2014 World Cup with a lineup that coach Miguel Herrera had promised days ago: with Guillermo Ochoa in goal and striker Javier Hernandez on the bench to face Cameroon
Herrera, who earlier said the decision to bench Hernandez was the hardest he had to make, sent Ochoa into the spotlight after spending the previous two World Cups as a reserve.
Hernandez has been one of Mexico's best known players since the 2010 World Cup, but he has struggled to score both for Mexico and has had limited game time for Manchester United. He lost his starting spot to Oribe Peralta.
Cameroon is led by 33-year-old striker Samuel Eto'o, who is playing in his fourth World Cup, and Barcelona's Alex Song.
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Mexico: Guillermo Ochoa, Francisco Rodriguez, Rafael Marquez, Hector Moreno, Miguel Layun, Paul Aguilar, Jose Vazquez, Andres Guardado, Hector Herrera, Giovani Dos Santos, Oribe Peralta.
Cameroon: Charlies Itandje, Aurlein Chedjou, Nicolas N'Koulou, Benoit Assou-Ekotto, Cedric Djeugoue, Alex Song, Eyong Enoh, Stephane Mbia, Eric Choupo-Moting, Benjamin Moukandjo, Samuel Eto'o.
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