China football team sucker-punched by early goals in wake-up call against Cameroon
Defeat to higher-ranked ‘Indomitable Lions’ in Fifa Series in Melbourne comes four days after win over World Cup-bound Curacao
China’s football team received a reality check on Tuesday when they conceded two early goals to lose 2-0 to Cameroon in a Fifa Series match at AAMI Park in Melbourne.
Both China and Cameroon failed to qualify for the World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico starting in June.
Cameroon, who are ranked inside the world top 50, took control early, with Karl Etta Eyong opening the scoring in the third minute before Saidou Alioum doubled the lead six minutes later.
China, fielding a heavily changed side from the one that beat Curacao and including six under-23 players, improved after the interval and created several chances, but were unable to find a breakthrough.
Goalkeeper Yan Junling produced a fine save to keep his side in the contest, while Wei Shihao went close with a curling free kick. Defender Zhu Chenjie also missed a late chance as the Indomitable Lions held on.