-myKhel Team

Cameroon ended a brief scoreless spell with a 2-0 victory over China in a FIFA Series friendly at AAMI Park, striking twice inside nine minutes through Karl Etta Eyong and Saidou Alioum. China could not respond despite playing against 10 players in stoppage time, as Cameroon controlled most phases of the match and managed the game well after their rapid start.

The result followed two matches without a goal for Cameroon, against Morocco in the Africa Cup of Nations quarter-final and in a friendly against Australia. This time Cameroon produced 17 attempts, six on target, and generated 2.09 expected goals, while China created only 0.44 expected goals from six efforts, with just one of those on target.

The breakthrough arrived in the third minute when Aboubakar Nagida found Etta Eyong inside the area and the forward steered the first shot of the contest beyond Yan Juling from close range. Soon after, Konrad Nifanso Sinyam headed wide, keeping the pressure on China, before Alioum struck a powerful volley into the top of the net to secure a 2-0 lead by the ninth minute.

Following those early setbacks, China tried to settle but struggled to threaten before half-time and failed to register a shot on target in the opening period. Cameroon kept Yan busy with regular advances without forcing many difficult saves, then early in the second half both Alioum and Wei Shihao produced efforts that tested the goalkeepers at each end.

The contest grew more heated before the hour mark when Cameroon head coach David Pagou was dismissed for dissent after protesting a refereeing decision on the touchline. China then resisted further pressure and avoided conceding again, yet Cameroon finished with 10 players after Stephane Keller received a second yellow card in the 91st minute for dragging down Behram Abduweli near the edge of the area.

Cameroon vs China FIFA Series data debrief

Cameroon’s attack showed more edge than in recent outings, led by Etta Eyong and Alioum. Etta Eyong produced four shots and contributed 1.18 expected goals to the team total, while Alioum attempted a game-high five efforts, three on target. China’s attack, by comparison, lacked sharpness and rarely troubled Cameroon’s defence or goalkeeper across the 90 minutes.

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The match gave Cameroon a useful boost in front of goal after recent frustration against Morocco and Australia, with early finishing and improved chance creation proving decisive. China endured a difficult outing in attack and could not take advantage of Cameroon’s late dismissal, leaving the FIFA Series meeting as a clear 2-0 success for Cameroon.

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