Cameroon came from behind to claim a 2-2 draw with Germany on Sunday to give the ‘Indomitable Lions’ a pre-World Cup boost in their penultimate Brazil 2014 warm-up match.
All four goals came in an entertaining second-half as Cameroon, coached by German Volker Finke, came within a whisker of a historic first win over Germany.
The Africans took a shock lead through Chelsea’s Samuel Eto’o on 62 minutes only for Germany to equalise four minutes later through Thomas Muller.
German replacement Andre Schurrle gave the hosts the lead before Cameroon left-wing Maxim Choupo-Moting, who plies his trade in the Bundesliga for Mainz, popped up with the 78th-minute equaliser.
Germany coach Joachim Low was unimpressed with his side’s display, especially from Arsenal’s midfielder Mesut Ozil, who produced a low-key performance.
“On the one hand they were a good opponent and a real test of our endurance,” said Low.
“But you could see that the freshness was missing from our game.
“Our passing game was not good and we made many, many mistakes.
“Mesut Ozil did not have one of his best day, he needs two more weeks, then we’ll see a strong Mesut at the World Cup.”
Cameroon avoided their second consecutive defeat after losing 2-1 to Paraguay last Thursday, while Germany were missing stars Philipp Lahm, Manuel Neuer and Bastian Schweinsteiger.
Finke’s Cameroon side play their final warm-up match against Moldova in Yaounde on Saturday before their opening World Cup match against Mexico on June 13 in Group A.
“It was important to take a good result from here,” said Finke.
“It was a good chance for us to show our quality, but the all-important game for us is on June 13.”
Germany host Armenia in Mainz on Friday in their final match before flying to Brazil on Saturday wher they will face Portugal in their June 16 opener in Group G.
Real Madrid’s Sami Khedira looked sharp for Germany, despite spending most of the last six months on the sidelines.
Cameroon captain Eto’o was a constant threat as he played until the 92nd minute.
With both Germany’s captain Lahm (ankle) and goalkeeper Neuer (shoulder) out with knocks, Arsenal centre-back Per Mertesacker skippered the side.
Roman Weidenfeller deputised for Neuer in the German goal, while vice-captain Schweinsteiger sat out the friendly with tendinitis in a knee ligament.
The hosts made a bright start when Ozil fired wide in the first minute, Mertesacker headed over and Mario Gotze hit the post with barely ten minutes gone.
The Africans started putting in some loose challenges as Eyong Enoh was shown a yellow card on 20 minutes for bring down Manchester United target Toni Kroos.
Barcelona’s Alex Song joined him in the referee’s book soon after for tackling Khedira from behind.
Cameroon’s Benjamin Moukandjo squandered the best chance of the first half by firing straight at Weidenfeller after Eto’o made a superb defence-splitting pass with half-time approaching.
Cameroon took the lead with an hour gone after punishing some sloppy German defending.
Weidenfeller parried Eto’o’s shot, but Choupo-Moting pounced on the loose ball and fired in a cross from the left flank which the Chelsea striker fired home.
The lead lasted just four minutes as the hosts pulled level when Boateng managed to drag the ball back for Muller to hit the net.
Germany pulled ahead when Arsenal’s Lukas Podolski produced a powerful run and squared the ball for Chelsea’s Schuerrle to tap home on 71 minutes.
But the Africans roared back when Choupo-Moting drove his fierce shot past Weidenfeller 12 minutes before the final whistle.
Enoh could have grabbed a late winner for Cameroon, but his shot from 20 metres out just passed over the crossbar to spare Germany’s blushes.
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