Cameroon 1 Holland 2

Thursday, 24/06/2010

REPORT: Lee Price

Holland became the first side to qualify for the knockout stages with a perfect record, after a routine victory over Cameroon – setting up a last-16 clash with Slovakia.

The African side’s fate was already determined prior to the game and, though they still had pride to play for in front of their home continent, Samuel Eto’o and co were never really at the races against an impressive Dutch side.

The Oranje were rampant throughout, carving open their opponents with ease.

Giovani van Bronkhorst created the first chance with a superb through ball – sending Robin van Persie clear on goal, but the Arsenal frontman could only hit his effort straight at the keeper.

Rafael van der Vaart was the next to produce some magic, as his backheel created an opportunity for Wesley Sneijder, but the Inter midfielder was blocked before he could get a shot away.

It was to be third time lucky for Holland, though, as their intricate build up play sliced open the supposedly Indomitable Lions once again.

Dirk Kuyt sprayed the ball wide to van Persie, standing on the right wing. The forward cut inside and played a delicious one-two with van der Vaart, before angling a right-footed drive into the far corner of the net.

It was destructive but beautiful from the Dutch as they continued to crank through the gears, peaking at the perfect time for the knock out phase.

Cameroon grabbed an equaliser through a Samuel Eto’o penalty in the second-half, after Geremi’s free-kick bounced off the arm of van der Vaart – the first goal against Holland in this tournament.

Despite that set-back, Holland were handed a boost by Arjen Robben’s first appearance of the competition, replacing van der Vaart for a 15-minute run out.

And the Bayern winger made an instant impact – setting up the winner. Cutting in from the right-wing and curling a superb effort against the post, which Klaas-jan Huntelaar tapped home.

The Dutch will have been buoyed by the sight of their star turn in full flow once again – terrorising defences as he did throughout the Champions League – showing that he has fully recovered from the injury that had kept him out of the first two games.

Fresh and ready, Robben could power Holland some way into this tournament.

Goals:

Van Persie (36)

Eto'o (pen 65)

Huntelaar (83)

Shoot Man of the Match: Raphael van der Vaart

For reports of previous matches at the tournament please go to the International section.

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