Cameroon-Netherlands: 1-2 : Bitter Souvenirs

The 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa remains one of the worst campaigns for Cameroon as they were booted out in the group phase with zero point. They started the competition poorly recording two straight defeats against Japan and Denmark making them the first country to be eliminated. Their last group E game against Netherlands on June 24, 2010 at the Green Point Stadium in Cape Town was a platform to play for honour. 
The Lions were thus coming into the encounter with the objective of clinching at least a point. Unfortunately, they met their doom as Netherlands won 2-1. Bert Marwijk, Netherlands trainer, though qualified for the next round after winning his first two matches, had lined up his best players. Conversely, Cameroon had in it its starting 11, several players that had not played any match since the start of the competition. Robin Van Persie opened scores for Netherlands at the 36th minute. Cameroon managed by Paul Le Guen, pressed on to equalise to no avail. It was in the second half and precisely around the 63th minute that Cameroon got a free-kick. Geremi took the free-kick and it was blocked by Van Der Vaart with his arm. Cameroon got a penalty. Team Captain, Samuel Eto'o takes the spot-kick, blasting it chest-high to the goalkeeper's right. Maarten Stekelenburg went the right way, but the ball fizzed between his outstretched hand and touched the back of the net. The equaliser at the 65th minute was a hope raiser. Cameroon, thanks to defenders like Benoit Assou Ekotto, Stephane Mbia, Aurelien Che...