Exit for Cameroon as Lions fail to roar

Published on 24 June 2010 at 22:52

Reading time 2 min.

Nine points for the Netherlands, none for Cameroon. The so called Indomitable Lions head home empty handed after a disappointing run. Paul Le Guen leave the 2010 World Cup pointless after, once more, losing to Holland (2-1), in spite of a good reaction in the second half.

When entering this game against the Netherlands, the Indomitable Lions had nothing to expect but to save face. After losing against both Denmark (2-1) and Japan (1-0), Cameroon need to put up some sort of show in order to come home with something to show to their fans.

Dubbed one of the best African sides of the 2010 African World Cup, the Lions couldn’t leave the tournament pointless. But the Dutch had something else in mind as they were keen on maintaining their 100 per cent record.

After a good start for Cameroon, Van Persie (19′), Sneijder (23′) and Van der Vaart (25′) took their chances. But it was Robin van Persie’s crisp 36th minute strike that gave the Green Point Stadium crowd something to get excited about in an otherwise drab opening period to what was a virtual dead-rubber.

A much-improved second half saw the Indomitable Lions rewarded for their endeavour as Samuel Eto’o scored his second goal of the tournament via the penalty spot after Rafael van der Vaart was penalised for handballing Geremi’s free-kick (65′).

But the Lions were not match for the Europeans as Van Persie nearly doubled his tally (51′). They have still been more efficient rather than exciting, although Rafael van der Vaart has shown some masterful touches in midfield. Cameroon, meanwhile, have shown lots of effort and imagination coming forward but the final ball, or finish, has eluded them.

Oranje were not giving up that easy though and Huntelaar restored his side’s lead in the 84th minute. Sneijder found Arjen Robben with an intelligent through pass and the Bayern Munich star hit the upright with a placed shot. The rebound fell to Huntelaar and the Milan hitman calmly slotted home.

The Dutch top Group E with nine points and will meet Slovakia in Durban on Monday for a place in the quarter-finals while Cameroon head home empty-handed.

2010 World Cup South Africa's preparation to host the games on African soil for the first time but also individual African countries' determination to take part in the historic event. Five African countries - Cameroon, Nigeria, Algeria, South Africa and Ghana - are selected to join twenty seven teams from around the world to battle it out on the football pitch for the gold trophy. One by one, the African teams are eliminated, but Africans will not be bogged down as they rally behind their compatriots on the wings of the vuvuzela, a far cry from the near diplomatic row between Algeria and Egypt during the qualifiers. Ghana are the last team to leave but not before African unity becomes reality...