England’s World Cup preparations ended in stalemate as Cameroon emphasised the African threat in impressive style in Kobe.
Sven-Goran Eriksson was grateful for substitute Robbie Fowler’s late equaliser after a performance that left more questions than answers about England’s preparations with the opener against Sweden on the horizon.
Geremi’s brilliant free-kick gave The Indomitable Lions the opportunity to become the first African side to beat England – but Fowler’s leveller with virtually the last touch of a low-key encounter salvaged England’s pride.
Cameroon took an early lead through Samuel Eto’o, but Aston Villa’s Darius Vassell gave Eriksson a timely lift with another demonstration of his swift adjustment to international football with a quick equaliser.
England looked to be heading for defeat after Geremi’s goal until Fowler’s last-ditch intervention, but they still struggled to make an impact on a Cameroon side that mixed silk and steel to great effect.
Eriksson will have been concerned about England’s uncertainty at the back, and a succession of injuries have wrecked any hopes of contintuity before the World Cup campaign opens.
Eriksson was again forced to reshuffle his starting line-up as injuries cast an increasing shadow over his World Cup countdown.
Joe Cole started in central midfield, with Manchester United’s Wes Brown handed an opportunity to stake his claim for the right-back spot.
England’s re-shaped side were still in the early period of adjustment when Cameroon took the lead after four minutes, with a goal that will have posted a warning to watching Republic of Ireland manager Mick McCarthy.
Patrick Mboma’s raking pass caught out Brown on England’s right flank, and when Pierre Wome’s cross rebounded off the post, Eto’o slammed a powerful finish past Nigel Martyn.
England’s response was swift and decisive – and Vassell continued the goal-laden start to his international career with the equaliser seven minutes later.
Paul Scholes, as against South Korea, played a key role as creator with a through ball which Vassell controlled before steering past Boukar Alioum.
England captain Michael Owen thought he had put his side in front when he bundled home from close range after Cameroon keeper Alioum fumbled Heskey’s header, but he was ruled offside.
Cameroon looked slicker in their approach work and stronger physically than England, worrying factors for Eriksson with the opener against Sweden a week away.
Real Madrid star Geremi was narrowly off target with a trademark long range free-kick on the stroke of half-time – but it was only a brief reprieve for England.
Eriksson made the usual host of interval changes, and the fresh faces were left chasing the game when Cameroon restored their advantage after 57 minutes.
Subsititute Gareth Southgate was penalised for handball under challenge from Mboma, and this time Geremi made no mistake with a 25-yard right-foot free-kick that flashed past replacement goalkeper David James.
England almost equalised after 73 minutes when Trevor Sinclair nearly capped an eventful week with a goal.
Sinclair, who has racked up their air miles flying between South Korea and England, was airborne in a footballing fashion to meet Owen Hargreaves’ cross, but Alioum made a brilliant save.
Eriksson immediately replaced goalscorer Vassell with Leeds United striker Fowler, who was desperate for action after recovering from a hip injury.
And he almost announced his arrival with a goal as England went in search of an equaliser.
Sinclair and Wayne Bridge unlocked the Cameroon defence, and Fowler was only inches away from a decisive touch when Teddy Sheringham headed the West Ham winger’s cross across the face of goal.
Fowler had better luck with a close range header in the dying seconds, to at least save England from the disappointment of defeat.
Cameroon: Alioum, Njanka, Kalla, Tchato, Geremi, Wome, Lauren, Foe, Olembe, Eto’o, Mboma. Subs: Alnoudji, Djemba-Djemba, Epalle, Job, Kameni, Kome, Mettomo, N’Diefi, N’kom, Ndo, Song, Songo’o, Suffo.
England: Martyn, Brown, Ferdinand, Campbell, Bridge, Hargreaves, Scholes, Joe Cole, Heskey, Vassell, Owen. Subs: James, Fowler, Keown, Mills, Sheringham, Sinclair, Southgate.
Referee: Y Katayama (Japan)
