Doha, November 28 (QNA) - Cameroon coach Rigobert Song praised on Monday his team's fighting spirit after a 3-3 draw against Serbia at the World Cup Qatar 2022, without first-choice goalkeeper Andre Onana who was left out of the squad for disciplinary reasons.

Talking about Andre Onana, Song said: " "He is a very important player but we are in a competition and my role is to put the team first ahead of an individual, He is one of the best keepers in Europe. This is not about his performances but you have to preserve the squad," he added about the Inter Milan keeper.

"Maybe we needed a strong signal. It's a big risk that I took. But I'm the dad of these kids so when I have to take risks and make decisions, I do that and I stand by what I do." he added.

Song said in the post-match press conference:  "The most important is to give the Cameroon people emotions. What matters is the mindset and the collective spirit and in that regard we played a great game. We showed fighting spirit."

Cameroon, however, have a mountain to climb in their last Group G game on Friday as they need to beat Brazil to stand a chance of making the knockout phase.

(QNA)