Cameroon became the first team to be eliminated from the World Cup first round after throwing away their lead to lose 2-1 to Denmark in Group E on Saturday. Samuel Eto'o, returning to his favorite position as a central striker, put Cameroon ahead early in the game as the Indomitable Lions looked lively, in sharp contrast to their previous game which they lost 1-0 to Japan. However, defensive mistakes allowed Denmark, who slumped to a 2-0 defeat by Holland, to roar back and claim all three points. Nicklas Bendtner equalized on 33 minutes and in-form winger Dennis Rommedahl gave the Danes a precious win in the 61st minute. Cameroon, who haven't gone beyond the first round since reaching the quarter finals in 1990, lie at the bottom of their group after failing to bag any points during their first two games. Even a win over leaders Holland, who collected maximum six points and became the first team to seal a last-16 berth, in their last match will not be enough to keep alive their hopes of advancing to the knockout phase. Japan and Denmark, who both have three points, meet on Thursday to decide who will join Holland in the next round. Defensive Lapses Eto'o opened the scoring after 10 minutes after his teammate Achille Emana capitalized on a blunder from Denmark's 30-year-old midfielder Christian Poulsen.
Rommedahl scored and dished out an assist The Juventus man's short pass on the edge of the 18-yard box was intercepted by Emana, who squared the ball to the unmarked Eto'o to steer a low shot home. Cameroon could have doubled their advantage but were made to pay for a lapse of concentration from left-back Assou-Ekotto. The Tottenham man, who was repeatedly exposed, was caught napping as Rommedahl ghosted behind him to collect a long ball and run down the right flank. He provided a low cross that evaded keeper Hamidou Souleymanou and found Bendtner, who nipped in between two defenders to slot the ball into an empty net. Cameroon wasted several chances to regain their lead, with Eto'o striking the post with a low shot from inside the area three minutes before the break. Eto'o's partner Pierre Webo, a peripheral figure throughout, squandered another golden chance on the hour mark. He gathered a low cross inside the area with his back to the goal, turned and hit a weak shot that was easily saved by Denmark keeper Thomas Sorensen Cameroon were punished for their wastefulness immediately afterwards when Rommedahl skipped past Jean Makoun, who came on as a second-half substitute, and placed the ball into the far corner of the net after a neatly-worked counter attack. The four-time African champions piled on pressure but Denmark held firm to send them packing.
