Holland beat Cameroon to top Group E
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Samuel Eto'o tied the score for Cameroon on 65 minutes, converting a penalty conceded by Van der Vaart who raised his hands to block Geremi's free-kick and the referee pointed to the spot.
Dutch star winger Arjen Robben, who missed the previous two group matches for injury, came off the bench on 73 minutes to replace Van der Vaart.
A Cameroon defending mistake gifted Robben a chance to shoot just outside the box. But the ball came back off the inside of the post and Klaas Jan Huntelaar, also a substitute, was on hand with a neat finish in the 83rd minute.
Dutch coach Bert van Marwijk said,"We played very well in the first half and I felt relaxed at halftime. But situation changed from the beginning of the second half, and then I had to make some changes."
"My players played cautiously to avoid being cautioned," he added.
Replying to a question, van Marwijk said that he was not sure if Robben would start in the next game.
Dutch forward Dirk Kuyt told reporters in the mixed zone, "We play better and better. But we must be cautious of Slovakia who stunned Italy this afternoon."
In Rustenburg, Japan upset Denmark 3-1 to survive the group in the second position with six points. Denmark finished third with three points, followed by Cameroon none.
The Netherlands will take on Slovakia in the Round of 16 while Japan will face Paraguay.
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