Australia to stay true to their attacking style when they face Cameroon
Cameroon and Australia knew they faced a tall order when they were drawn in the same group as Germany and Chile. They also knew that their best hope of scoring a win would come in the match between them, a game that will take place in Saint Petersburg today, with both sides having lost their opening encounters of the tournament.
“Disappointed with the result but satisfied with the performance.”
That was Cameroon coach Hugo Broos’ reaction to his side’s opening match against Chile, an indication that he will largely stick with the same starting line-up against the Socceroos.
With their first-night nerves now behind them, the Cameroonians can be expected to give a better account of themselves, especially against a side that likes to come out and play.
Following a subdued performance against the Chileans, Christian Bassogog – the player of the tournament at the 2017 CAF Africa Cup of Nations – will be keen to shine on the right flank, a part of the pitch under-explored by the Africans in the defeat to La Roja.
Australia go into their first ever match against Cameroon on the back of a mixed performance against Germany.
Whatever changes the Socceroos decide to make for their second outing, they will be sticking to their positive, proactive approach.
The Asian champions were undermined by two key shortcomings in their 3-2 defeat to the Germans: they conceded goals too quickly and struggled to retain possession, an area in which coach Ange Postecoglou will be looking for more from talented midfielder Aaron Mooy.
Cameroon will be without Ambroise Oyongo, who had an outstanding Africa Cup of Nations. Unfortunately for them, the influential left-back picked up an injury in the 1-0 defeat of Morocco in a 2019 continental finals qualifier played just before they set off for Russia, and has not been replaced.
Oyongo turns 26 on Thursday and his 22 squad-mates will hope to give him the best possible birthday present.
Australia have now lost four FIFA Confederations Cup matches in a row, having failed to collect a point in their three group matches on their last appearance at the tournament, at Germany 2005.
The Socceroos are one defeat away from equalling Saudi Arabia’s five on the trot, but still some way behind New Zealand's eight. Should they beat Cameroon, it will be their first win in the competition since overcoming Brazil in the match for third place in 2001.
A late substitute against Germany, Australia’s Tim Cahill could well bring the experience he has acquired in 98 international appearances to bear against the Indomitable Lions.
The scorer of 48 goals for his country to date, Cahill will be 37 years and 198 days old on Thursday and will become the secondoldest goalscorer in the history of the competition should he find the back of the net against Cameroon.
The grandfather of them all is former Germany midfielder Lothar Matthaus, who was 38 years and 129 days old when he scored against New Zealand in 1999.