Al-Johar - defiant after humiliation (Allsport)

By Ian Parkes, PA Sport, Saitama

Under-fire Saudi Arabia coach Nasser Al-Johar has come out fighting ahead of his side's showdown with Cameroon following a savage mauling by his critics.

Al-Johar is under considerable pressure to restore lost Saudi pride at the Saitama Stadium in the wake of Saturday's embarrassing 8-0 defeat to Germany.

Given the revolving door which operates at the Saudi Arabian Football Federation headquarters in Riyadh, as there have been eight changes of manager since 1996, it is surprising to find Al-Johar in a job going into the Group E clash with Cameroon.

But the SAFF have shown faith in the 42-year-old, who is now in his third spell in charge of the Saudis, with his first coming four years ago after Brazilian star Carlos Alberto was infamously sacked midway through France '98 after opening group defeats to Denmark and the hosts.

With Al-Johar at the helm, Saudi Arabia at least bowed out in France with dignity as they ended their campaign with a 2-2 draw against South Africa.

Al-Johar was again asked to perform another rescue act two years ago in the Asian Cup after Czech coach Milan Macala had been sacked following a humiliating 4-1 defeat in their opening game to Japan.

The Saudis eventually reached their fifth successive final, only for the Japanese to again prove their nemesis under current coach Philippe Troussier.

Despite then steering the team through the first phase of World Cup qualifying, Al-Johar reverted back to assistant - the position he had held when the Asian Cup kicked off - as the federation appointed Slobodan Santrac.

The Yugoslav was quickly shown the door after two games and back in came Al-Johar to lead Saudi Arabia to their third successive finals on the back of five wins and a draw.

But Al-Johar's previous feats appear to have been forgotten back in his homeland as he has been savaged by media and fans, comments which have clearly hurt.

Now, Al-Johar has hit back as he defiantly said: "What happened against Germany was abnormal and unbelievable. It was a disastrous result.

"But all those people who are criticising me now are those who wrote or said I was a hero after the Asian Cup in Lebanon and after the final stage of qualifying for this World Cup.

"It's simply not true that we went into the match without any strategy.

"The players trained hard to apply it, and that was demonstrated prior to the finals with the good results from the warm-up matches.

"We promise our fans in Saudi Arabia and in the Arab world to do better in the next two matches. We can still qualify."

Changes will be made to the side, although team manager Faisal Abed Al Hadi has made it clear goalkeeper Mohammed Al-Deayea will not be among those axed claiming the 29-year-old "remains one of the most talented guardians in Asia."

The major doubt surrounds captain and striker Sami Al Jaber, who missed training on Sunday and Monday due to an injury to his right ankle, although it is hoped he will be fit to play.

Cameroon coach Winfried Schafer has already stated he is expecting a backlash, and has warned his players they face a battle rather than the walkover Germany enjoyed.

"The worst thing you can do is underestimate any team - that would be dangerous," stated Schafer, who knows a win is vital with Rudi Voller's side up next to finish the group campaign.

"I know they will try to play much better and more aggressively against us, but my team will do everything to fight and win this game.

"It is such an important one as the next match against Germany will probably decide whether we advance to the next round."