Jordan Bos grabbed a late winner as lackluster Australia beat Cameroon 1-0 for a confidence-boosting win as the country refined its World Cup preparations.
There were few chances in the tough friendly at Sydney’s Stadium Australia until the Feyenoord midfielder struck with five minutes to go.
Ajdin Hrustic missed a penalty in a much-needed win for a side that suffered two defeats in the previous international break, losing 1-0 to Venezuela and 3-0 to Colombia.
The match was part of the 2026 FIFA Series, a mini-tournament that also includes fellow World Cup qualifier Curacao, which was beaten 2-0 by China in an earlier match at the same venue.
“We couldn’t really break through in the first half, and in the second half we kept coming,” Bos said.
«We had some chances and it came down to the last ten minutes, and I scored the goal and we won. So that’s important.»
The Socceroos will be attending their sixth World Cup in a row and coach Tony Popovic used the match to take a closer look at a number of inexperienced players.
With a host of places in his World Cup squad still up for grabs, he handed his debut to 18-year-old Colorado Rapids defender Lucas Herrington and Poland-based striker Deni Juric.
Neither player showed nerves in a lively opening as the hosts pushed for an early breakthrough.
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But it struggled to maintain control against a young Cameroon side rebuilding after failing to qualify for the World Cup.
Chances in the first half were few and far between on a slippery pitch, with both teams missing a creative spark.
Popovic replaced Juric and Martin Boyle with Awer Mabil and Nestory Irankunda up front for the second half and the intensity increased.
It culminated when Cameroonian debutant Oliver Kamdem was awarded a penalty with 20 minutes to go, but goalkeeper Devis Epassy went the right way to deny Hrustic.
Irankunda came close twice as the clock ticked before Bos’ late heroics, beating a defender after receiving the ball from Paul Okon.
Australia is in World Cup Group D with co-hosts the United States, Paraguay and a yet-to-be-determined European country.
Published on March 27, 2026
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