Olympic champions Cameroon showed they could hold their own among soccer's elite when they drew 1-1 against World and European champions France in Paris on Wednesday. Patrick Mboma's spectacular overhead kick from a long throw cancelled out Sylvain Wiltord's opener for the French at the Stade de France.
"It's a great night," said Mboma. "We came here to prove we could vie with the French and that's what we did."
The home side went ahead after 20 minutes when Arsenal's Patrick Vieira delivered a perfect lob for clubmate Wiltord. He rounded goalkeeper Alioum Boukar and slotted the ball into an empty net. But France, who were plagued by injuries, including Zinedine Zidane and goalkeeper Fabien Barthez, looked more vulnerable than usual.
Goalkeeper Lionel Letizi, a replacement for Manchester United's Barthez, was forced into a fine save by striker Samuel Eto'o in the 34th minute. Gaining in confidence, the Olympic champions equalised when Mboma, so often the hero in Australia, produced his magnificent overhead effort a minute from the break.
Substitute goalkeeper Richard Dutruel, on for the injured Letizi, spared the hosts further embarrassment by saving from Eto'o after striker ran unchallenged through the French defence in the 62nd minute. For France, captain Marcel Desailly headed wide a free-kick from the left by substitute Laurent Robert 12 minutes from time.
"We were aware Cameroon were a very mighty side," said French coach Roger Lemerre. "For some of my guys it was hard to play here tonight as they were not at their best.
"We played euphoric opponents who were mentally and physically strong after their Olympic title.
The visitors Liverpool defender Rigobert Song came close to winning the match for Cameroon in the dying minutes but his header was cleared off the line by Chelsea defender Leboeuf.
REUTERS
Filed by Sean Doran
