Opening match defeats made for an almost do or die clash between Australia and Cameroon in a mostly empty Krestovsky Stadium in Saint Petersburg. Ange Postecoglou opted to make two changes after Australia’s 3-2 defeat to Germany with Alex Gersbach and Robbie Kruse coming in for Aziz Behich and Massimo Luongo. Cameroon coach Hugo Broos kept with the same starting eleven which went down 2-0 to Chile. In the opening twenty minutes of the half Australia controlled the tempo of the match. Tom Rogic was able to find plenty of space in between Cameroon’s midfield and defence, however, Australia was unable to fashion any clear-cut chances. The African Champions began to come into the game once they had isolated Rogic and their counter attacks were causing some concern for the Australian defence. The first half looked set to finish scoreless but seconds before the interval Cameroon pulled ahead. Michael Ngadeu-Ngadjui lofted the ball forward from the halfway line with André-Frank Zambo Anguissa able to get goal side of Milos Degenek before managing to flick over a tentatively advancing Mat Ryan with the ball dribbling into the back of the net. A real sucker punch from the Cameroonians with Australia momentarily switching off. Australia had the [...]