Cameroon's 'collective spirit' hailed after 3-3 draw with Serbia - 'I can be happy'

Cameroon head coach Rigobert Song has praised his side after battling within two goals to draw 3-3 with Serbia on Monday.

Strahinja Pavlovic and Sergej Milinkovic-Savic scored after Jean-Charles Castelletto's opener as Serbia led 2-1 at half-time.

Fulham striker Aleksandar Mitrovic led Serbia 3-1 before Cameroon launched a breathtaking fightback as Vincent Aboubakar and Eric-Maxim Choupo-Moting drew them level.

Song said: "We were in the lead, then after those two goals (from Serbia) we thought it was over. But we saw that the players got together and I can only say rejoice.

“The most important thing (the thing) is to give emotions to the Cameroonian people. What matters is the state of mind and the collective spirit and in this regard, we had a great game. We showed a fighting spirit."

Cameroon avoided a record ninth successive World Cup final loss, but while he and Serbia kept hopes of reaching the knockout stages, Brazil and Switzerland remain favorites to leave the group.

Inter Milan's Cameroonian goalkeeper Andre Onana has been controversially dropped from the squad amid pre-match reports of a training ground row with his coach -chef.

Song said: "He's a very important player, but we're in a competition and my role is to put the team before an individual.

"He's one of the best goalkeepers in Europe. It's not about his performance, but about preserving the team. Maybe we needed a strong signal.

“It was a big risk that I took. But I am the father of these children, so when I have to take risks and make decisions, I do it and I stick to what I do.”< /p>

Serbia head coach Dragan Stojkovic couldn't hide his disappointment and deemed Cameroon's two second-half goals down to 'two huge' defensive lapses.

Stojkovic said: "Of course the players must not lose their heads. We are frustrated because we wanted the win and had the game in our hands, but our stupid mistakes saved Cameroon from defeat.

"We made two huge mistakes in defense. At this level it is very dangerous to go high when your opponent has the ball.

“Those two errors cost us the victory. It is difficult to understand and completely unnecessary.”

READ MORE: Add the Cameroon-Serbia goal fest to the list of big World Cup games in 2022…