Socceroo skipper Mark Milligan says his side gave a much-improved performance in their 1-1 draw with Cameroon compared with their loss to Germany.
Australia and the African champions played out a stalemate in St Petersburg at the Confederations Cup. The Socceroos has more possession but Cameroon had more chances on goal over the 90 minutes.
Australia v Cameroon pic special
The Indomitable Lions went a goal ahead right before half-time, then Milligan scored from a penalty to tie it up after Alex Gersbach was hauled down in the box.
The captain described the Socceroos' display against Cameroon as a "more complete performance".
"We gave them a goal at a very dangerous time in the game again," Milligan said after the game.
"A small, little bit of lapse on our part. I think overall there was times they got in behind a little bit, but I think we dealt with it in the most part and we knew that’s where the threat was going to come. We had some good passages of play and we were a bit more patient tonight.
"When we were patient we tended to open them up and stretch them a little bit. Overall it felt like a better performance for us. We created a few chances, even at the end there. We went until the end. I think it was more of a complete performance compared to the Germany match."
Ange speaks after the @socceroos 1-1 draw with Cameroon. #CMRAUS #confedcup pic.twitter.com/hKxikC9IeZ
— SBS - The World Game (@TheWorldGame) June 22, 2017
In a physical game many fouls went unpunished by the referee. But Milligan had no qualms with the officials, despite the lack of use of the VAR.
"Cameroon are a very physical side," he said.
"They’re tough, you still need to win your one-on-one duels. We tried to but that’s one of their strengths. I think we showed a bit more patience than we did against Germany.
"I thought the VAR sees everything doesn’t it? Obviously not seeing everything today. You want the game to flow more and I guess that was one of the concerns about bringing it in that it would slow the game down.
"The game was flowing, you’d much prefer that then have a whistle every couple of minutes."
The Socceroos now head to Moscow to take on Chile on Sunday night. Anything but a victory for Australia will end their tournament.
"Chile’s a very good side but they have weaknesses as well," Milligan said.
"Today we were a lot braver in the way we defended, we tended to defend forward and I think that’s going to very important against Chile.
Related Articles

Socceroos midfielder embraces move to England

Cardiff City snap up sought-after Socceroos starlet
