A late Jordan Bos goal secured the Socceroos a 1-0 FIFA Series win over Cameroon at Accor Stadium on Friday night.
A pass from substitute Paul Okon-Engstler set up the opportunity, with the ball falling for wing-back Bos after Cameroon defender Samuel Kotto failed with his attempted interception.
Bos produced a calm finish to secure the Socceroos their first win in four games after three successive losses to the USA, Venezuela and Colombia.
It was a deserved victory on the basis of Australia’s second-half performance, with the introduction immediately after half-time of Nestory Irankunda and Awer Mabil adding some much-needed zest to the Socceroos attack after a mundane first-half from both teams.
The Socceroos’ first proper chance of the game didn’t come until the 71st minute when they were awarded a penalty after Cameroon right-back Oliver Kamdem fouled midfielder Aiden O’Neill.
VAR intervention was needed before the spot kick was awarded.
However, it amounted to nothing, with substitute Ajdin Hrustic’s penalty saved by goalkeeper Devis Epassy.
The Australians had another chance five minutes later, but replacement Cameron Burgess failed to hit the target with his header.
Irankunda had a chance soon after, but his shot was saved by Epassy.
However, the Socceroos’ were finally rewarded for their second-half dominance with Bos’ third international goal in the 85th minute.
“It was a very good second-half,” Socceroos coach Tony Popovic told Network 10.
“First-half … we looked a little bit stretched and anxious, and then we became a little bit disjointed, but I thought we were a lot more compact and a lot more connected in the second-half with and without the ball.
“In the end it was a deserved win.”
In a concern for the Socceroos ahead of their game against Curacao in Melbourne on Tuesday night and the FIFA World Cup starting in June, midfielder Connor Metcalfe was forced off in the second-half with what seemed to be a knee injury.
Two debuts
Popovic gave Socceroos debuts to two players, striker Deni Juric and 18-year-old central defender Lucas Herrington, with both starting the match.
Poland-based Juric had been chosen in Australia’s squad for last November’s matches against Colombia and Venezuela but was forced to depart early due to injury.
Herrington played for A-League club Brisbane Roar until January when he joined American Major League Soccer outfit Colorado, where he has immediately impressed.
“They’ve been given an opportunity, and I haven’t said too much to them to be honest,” Popovic said pre-match.
“I don’t want to put the pressure on them, let them enjoy it, let them relax (and) embrace the moment of representing your country.
“We want them to feel the confidence from the whole staff, and all the players, and just go out there and do their best.”
Unfortunately for Juric, he failed to have a impact in what was overall a bland first-half, and didn’t appear after half-time.
Herrington, who played the entire match, looked assured and composed every time he touched the ball, and nullified Cameroon’s attack with some quality defending in what was a memorable debut.
