Latest sports scores at — http://sports.arabtimesonline.com Australia, Cameroon head for early exit
Milligan rescues pt for Aussies
SAINT PETERSBURG, June 22, (AFP): Australia captain Mark Milligan converted a second-half penalty in Thursday’s 1-1 draw with Cameroon in Saint Petersburg that left both teams heading for an early Confederations Cup exit.
Cameroon midfielder AndreFrank Zambo Anguissa scored with a superb flick on the stroke of half-time, but Milligan slotted home a spot-kick on 60 minutes as both sides picked up their first point in Group B.
Cameroon play world champions Germany in Sochi on Sunday, while the Socceroos play Copa America holders Chile in Moscow.
Before Zambo Anguissa’s magical flick, there were few clear chances for both sides in an intense opening 45 minutes.
Hugo Broos’ Cameroon relied on long balls down the flanks, a tactic that led to the opening goal, while Australia’s brightest moments resulted in Robbie Kruse firing straight at Cameroon goalkeeper Fabrice Ondoa.
Matt Ryan then held a shot from Cameroon skipper Benjamin Moukandjo following a deft back-heel from Vincent Aboubakar, but the opening goal was worth the wait.
A beautifully weighted pass down the right from centre-back Michael Ngadeu-Ngadjui was brilliantly scooped by Zambo Anguissa over the advancing Ryan and into the net.
It was the fourth match in a row the Socceroos had conceded a goal either in the first or final minute of a half.
It should have been 2-0 to Cameroon on 57 minutes when Aboubakar
Australia’s Trent Sainsbury (left), is challenged by Cameroon’s Christian Bassogog during the Confederations Cup Group B soccer match between Cameroon and Australia, at the St Petersburg Stadium, Russia on June 22. (AP)
fired a great chance wide, leaving Broos with his head in his hands on the sidelines, just before Australia equalised.
With an hour gone, Milligan tucked away a penalty after Alex Gersbach was brought down in the area by Cameroon right-back Ernest Mabouka.
The video assistant referee was consulted and confirmed the decision, with Milligan making no mistake with the spot-kick.
Australia coach Ange Postecoglou threw on Tim Cahill, the country’s all-time leading scorer with 48 goals, but the 37-year-old could not break the deadlock on his 99th international appearance.
Portugal left-back Raphael Guerreiro looks set to miss the rest of the Confederations Cup with an ankle injury as confusion reigned on Thursday after he initially said he had a fracture.
The Borussia Dortmund defender had to be helped off in the secondhalf of Wednesday’s 1-0 win over Russia in Moscow after Cristiano Ronaldo had headed the winning goal from Guerreiro’s cross.
On his official Instagram account on Thursday, Guerreiro stated he had suffered a fracture, but that it was an old injury received months ago, before the post was later deleted.
“Thank you for your messages, I have a fracture, but it happened three months ago,” Guerreiro posted in both Portuguese and French before the message was withdrawn.
“Fortunately, the fracture is not causing me any pain, but I can’t put my foot on the ground or move.
“I’ll be behind my team-mates for the rest of the competition.”
His club Dortmund then released a statement saying Guerreiro only
Cameroon’s Adolphe Teikeu (left), jumps for the ball with Australia’s Robbie Kruse during the Confederations Cup Group B soccer match between Cameroon and Australia, at the St Petersburg Stadium in St Petersburg, Russia on June 22. (AP)
had “deep bruising on his foot”, reportedly on the area where he suffered a hairline fracture weeks ago.
Ronaldo’s eighth-minute header gave the European champions their first Confed Cup win in Russia and a victory over New Zealand on Saturday would secure a semifinal spot.