Cameroon looking for improvement after late loss to Chile

Manager Hugo Broos’ side were bitterly disappointed after keeping the scorching Chilean attack goalless for 81 minutes on Sunday only to lose 2-0 to the South Americans.

Cameroon put in a creditable defensive performance and produced a number of attacking opportunities, but they were let down by nerves and set-piece defending.

Cameroon’s break-out star Christian Bassogog, player of the 2017 African Cup of Nations, was also uncharacteristically quiet against Chile.

Christian Bassogog

If Australia can contain the 21-year-old forward, they will have strong prospects of keeping the opposition scoreless in Saint Petersburg.

Cameroon start the contest with a fitness advantage, having enjoyed an additional rest day. Can they make it count?

The Socceroos have done their homework

Despite having never previously faced Cameroon, the Australian players will know just what to expect from their opponents on Thursday evening.

Postecoglou’s players watched the Cameroon v Chile match on television as a group and have since dissected it with forensic thoroughness to ensure that they are prepared for the African champions.

“They showed in moments against a very good Chilean side that they can be very dangerous, particularly in transition,” Postecoglou said.

Ange Postecoglou knows Cameroon's threat

“That is something we have prepared the players for, but ultimately it comes back to a lesson from the first game: if anything we need to concrete more on ourselves and not pay too much respect to the opposition.

“That will be our focus for this game.”

The team’s research on its forthcoming opposition extended back to the African Cup of Nations in early 2017.

“We have not just watched them in the last game,” Postecoglou continued. “We have been tracked them for a while – we had people at the African Cup of Nations following teams there.”