Ajdin Hrustic had a penalty saved in the second half for the Socceroos, who were frustrated by a dogged Cameroon defence, but they eventually found their breakthrough.

Cameroon started well without testing Mat Ryan, but Christian Kofane managed to get a header on goal that was held by the goalkeeper.

Australia's only first-half attempt saw Riley McGree's long-range shot smothered, while Che Malone and Emmanuel Moungam both fired wide at the other end.

The Socceroos improved after the break but did not get an opening until the 70th minute when Cameroon debutant Oliver Kamden was penalised for stepping on Aiden O'Neill's foot after a video assistant referee (VAR) review.

However, substitute Hrustic's low shot towards the bottom-right corner was well stopped by Devis Epassy.

Cameron Burgess and Nestory Irankunda pushed for a winner late on for Australia, but it was Bos who made the vital intervention, latching on to a throughball that cut Cameroon's defence open to prod past Epassy in the 85th minute.