Cameroon down and out

Jun 21, 2010 - Barnaby Chesterman |

Pretoria

Cameroon became the first team to be knocked out of the World Cup after a 2-1 defeat to Denmark on Saturday, a result which also ensured Group E leaders Holland became the first country to reach the last 16.
The defeat, their second in a row, completed a miserable tournament for the under-performing Indomi-table Lions, who also lost to Japan in their opening game.
“I think so,” said Camerron captain Samuel Eto’o, when asked if this was his greatest disappointment. “All my season was focused to be ready for this World Cup. It’s the only thing I could think about,” added the Inter Milan star.
Saturday’s result leaves Japan, who earlier lost 0-1 to the Netherlands, to take on Denmark in Rustenberg next Thursday for the runners-up spot in the pool and a place in the knockout round.
Cameroon scored first when Eto’o coolly shot into the corner of the net after 10 minutes, but Arsenal’s Nicklas Bendtner struck back for the Danes, converting a cross in the 33rd minute.
Dennis Rommedahl gave Denmark the lead, curling a neat finish around Cameroon ’keeper Hamidou Souleymanou in the 61st minute. On seven minutes, Rommedahl had a great chance to open the scoring as Christian Poulsen played him in behind the defence, despite a hint of offside, but the Ajax star blazed his shot high and wide.

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