Chalov heads Russia to friendly win against Cameroon

The Indomitable Lions of cameroon have lost one of two friendlies scheduled this October, against Russia.

The match was played at VTB-Arena in the Russian capital of Moscow with the reported over 20,150-spectator attendance.

The only goal in the match was scored on the 40th minute by Russian striker Fyodor Chalov, who also plays as a forward for Russia’s CSKA Moscow football club.

Rigobert Song gave a chance to some players who did not take part in the last qualifiers game against Burundi.

Ondoa made his way back between the sticks, with Moukoudi and Oumar Gonzalez playing ahead of the shot- stopper. Nouhou Tolo kept his left back position, while Casteletto Jean Charles was deployed as a right back. Ntcham, Kunde and Ondoua assisted Aboubakar, Moumi and Mbeumo, up top.

Coach Rigobert Song and his charges lost a couple of chances to take the lead in the first half: the first, an uncharacteristic scuffed shot from Aboubakar in the opening excgsnges, and the other, Mbuemo’s inability to keep his cool after the half hour mark.

After a queue of missed chances, the only goal in the match was scored on the 40th minute by Russian striker Fyodor Chalov, from a corner. A first attempt was parried out by Ondoa but the rebound beat the Nimes shot stopper.

Coach Rigobert tweaked the team in the second segment and brought in the likes of Darlin Yongwa and Ngom Mbekeli, but Russia kept a water tight defense to go away with the victory.

This match will be officially registered by the world’s governing body of football, FIFA, in its World Rankings. According to the most recent FIFA World Rankings, issued on September 21, the Russian national team keeps 39th place between Ecuador (38th place) and Nigeria (40th place). The national team of Cameroon is currently ranked 41st.

Cameroon will face-off against Senegal on Monday, October 16 at the Stade Bollaert-Delelis in another friendly, as the Indomitable Lions look to sharpen its arsenal.