The draw leaves both countries precariously placed after both lost their opening group games. Australia will need to beat Chile in its final group game to have any hope of progression.

Both sides will eagerly await the result of the later kick-off game between Germany and Chile.

The Socceroos were lucky to avoid defeat, with the African champions having more chances on goal, with Vincent Aboubakar guilty of spurning several.

PIC SPECIAL: Australia v Cameroon

Mark Milligan equalised with a second half penalty after Cameroon had taken the lead through Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa with virtually the last kick of the first half.

Australia was put under pressure at the end of both halves but held on to earn a draw that they just about deserved although Cameroon will go away disappointed having had the better opportunities.

Cameroon showed their threat early on. It had shots into each side netting, firstly to Mat Ryan’s left by Christian Bassogog and then Vincent Aboubakar on the other side but the new Brighton goalkeeper looked to have both efforts well covered.

Australia then put themselves under pressure by giving away a series of free-kicks outside the penalty box.

Cameroon couldn’t make the most of them with Sebastien Siani and Bassogog unable to provide the right deliveries.

Robbie Kruse was making some good moves down the right hand side to stretch Cameroon’s defence but their first meaningful attack of the half came in the 20th minute. Alex Gersbach broke down the left and Tomi Juric had managed to get in front of his marker but the cross went too high.

Gersbach was one of two changes made by Australia’s coach Ange Postecoglou following the side’s loss to Germany in their opening match. Neither was a great surprise.

The Socceroos had struggled in defence down their left hand side, particularly in the first half of that match and both changes came in that area. Aziz Behich was replaced by Gersbach for his third cap while Robbie Kruse, who had come on for Massimo Luongo at half-time to good effect, continued in that role.

Mathew Leckie has found himself playing deeper in Australia’s new defensive system but, in the 32nd minute he started an attack on the right with the ball switching over to Gersbach on the other side. This time his cross was low and, although Juric was unable to meet it, Leckie, under pressure, got his left foot to the ball but it flew over the bar. It turned out to be the most threatening moment of the half for Australia.

The most enterprising moment of the period came in the 38th minute when Cameroon’s captain, Benjamin Moukandjo, charged into the penalty area down the left hand side and played a neat one-two with Aboubakar only to see his shot end up straight in the arms of Ryan.

The Indomitable Lions were starting to apply more pressure on the Socceroos and won a series of corners towards the end of the half. Australia was able to keep them out despite the strong attacking presence in the penalty area.

However, when the ball was cleared there was rarely a player in green and gold in the vicinity to pick up the pieces and another attack was formed by Cameroon.

Their late pressure meant that Cameroon had edged the first half and they took the lead with virtually the last kick of the extra minute that was added on.

A long ball played from his own half by Michael Ngadeu Ngadjui bounced before finding Zambo Anguissa who had managed to get behind Australia’s defence with the ball falling kindly to him.

Ryan was unsure whether to come out or stay on his line and, as he back tracked, Cameroon’s number three, under pressure from Milo Degenek got his foot to the ball and steered it past Ryan into the empty net.

Australia should have equalised soon after the break. Kruse played Leckie down the left where he neatly beat the final defender to reach the byline. His cross found Juric who had time to control the ball but he shot over the bar from twelve metres out.

The Socceroos continued in a bright manner putting together some neat moves as their passing started to find some gaps in Cameroon’s defence.

However, Cameroon should have gone two up in the 55th minute. They fashioned a move very similar to a number that Germany had put together against Australia.

A penetrating run down the right ended with the ball being cut back to an unmarked Bassogog who should have slotted the ball home but ended up firing just wide of the post.

Moments later, in the 60th minute, Australia had their equaliser. Gersbach was brought down by a poorly judged tackle by Ernest Mabouka when there was little danger and the Serbian referee immediately pointed to the penalty spot. Having checked with the Video Assistant Referee the decision stood.

Milligan struck his penalty so sweetly that, although Fabrice Ondoa guessed the right way the ball found the corner of the net.

The game now opened right up and both sides were finding ways to penetrate each other’s defences but it was Cameroon that was finding the openings.

The next came in a lightning break that saw Mabouka surge down Australia’s left hand side but when the ball was met by Aboubakar just six metres out he couldn’t control his shot and it flew over the bar.

The Socceroos defence was finding it hard to keep out the fast attacking Africans. Several crosses came over, mainly from Mabouka on the right but no-one could find the right finish. Aboubakar came closest but his header in the 78th minute went just over the bar.

In the end it was probably those late surges in the halves that meant that Australia was fortunate to have come away with a draw.

A result that means that Australia must beat the team ranked number four in FIFA’s rankings, Chile, in their final match to have any chance of qualifying for the semi-finals.

Australia plays Chile in Moscow on Monday 1am AEST.

PIC SPECIAL: Australia v Cameroon