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The Socceroos’ Confederations Cup fate is out of their hands after labouring to a 1-1 draw with Cameroon in St Petersburg.
Ange Postecoglou’s side played without spark against the African champions but earned a point when Mark Milligan converted a penalty to cancel out Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa’s first-half finish.
Australia now head to Moscow to play Chile, where they must win and have another result go their way to reach the semi-finals in Russia.
Once again, the Socceroos failed to produce a performance to be proud of, losing the bulk of the battles and the shot count 19-5.
They did at least start more confidently than in their first-up loss to Germany but their ascendancy faded, leaving only Cameroon playing with the urgency that the do-or-die match required.
The African champions were superior both in the air and on the deck.
Impressive youngster Christian Bassogog enjoyed a couple of early sighters, exposing Milos Degenek’s lack of pace.
The Socceroo defender was then found wanting for the opener, when Zambo Anguissa beat him to a long ball and dinked an effort over rushing goalkeeper Mat Ryan.
It was no less than Cameroon deserved.
Australia picked up the pace in the second half.
Mat Leckie sent a pair of dangerous balls into the box but they were wasted by Tomi Juric and Tom Rogic.
The match swung again and on 57 minutes, Australia received a life.
Vincent Aboubakar sent a shot both narrowly wide and through Zambo Anguissa’s legs just a metre from goal with Ryan beaten.
The move should have put the game on Cameroon’s terms but instead, a driving run from Gersbach brought Milligan to the spot.
The impressive 20-year-old was brashly tackled in the box by Ernest Mabouka and the Australian skipper converted.
Postecoglou threw on James Troisi, Tim Cahill and Jackson Irvine looking for a winner.
It wasn’t to be, with only a result against the odds against tournament favourites Chile likely to save Postecoglou from criticism of the team’s showing in Russia.
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