Holland maintained their 100 per cent record at the World Cup after running out 2-1 winners against Cameroon.

Van Persie opens South Africa finals account in Cape Town

Holland maintained their 100 per cent record at the World Cup as they ensured Cameroon left the tournament pointless after running out 2-1 winners in their final Group E game. Robin van Persie's crisp 36th minute strike gave the Green Point Stadium crowd something to get excited about in an otherwise drab opening period to what was a virtual dead-rubber. But a much-improved second half saw the Indomitable Lions rewarded for their endeavour as Samuel Eto'o scored his second goal of the tournament via the penalty spot after Rafael van der Vaart was penalised for handballing Geremi's free-kick. But Paul Le Guen's side were denied a point as Dutch substitute Arjen Robben quickly announced himself to the South Africa finals as his long-range blast cannoned off the post before allowing fellow replacement Klaas-Jan Huntelaar to tuck home the winner. The Dutch top Group E with nine points and will meet Slovakia in Durban on Monday for a place in the quarter-finals while Cameroon head home empty-handed. Holland came into the match on an unbeaten run of 21 international matches and had produced wins against Denmark and Japan to secure their progression.

Resisted temptation

Dutch coach Bert van Marwijk resisted the temptation to start winger Robben, who had missed the previous two matches with a hamstring injury, but there was a starting place in defence for Khalid Boulahrouz at Gregory van der Wiel's expense Cameroon coach Le Guen made four changes to the side that lost to Denmark last time out with Pierre Webo, Sebastien Bassong, Eyong Enoh and Achille Emana all making way for Landry Nguemo, Jean II Makoun, Gaetan Bong and Eric Choupo-Moting. Van der Vaart dragged one wide for Holland early on and Cameroon's Aurelien Chedjou fired a weak effort at Maarten Stekelenburg in what was a lame start to the Cape Town contest. Dirk Kuyt then picked up a needless booking before Van Persie could only fire straight at Hamidou Souleymanou after brilliantly setting himself up by chesting down Giovanni van Bronckhorst's chip forward. In the 31st minute Cameroon midfielder Makoun headed over from Geremi's cross before Kuyt dragged a good chance wide for Holland.

Dutch cheer

Finally the crowd had something to cheer after 36 minutes when Van Persie opened the scoring, playing a neat one-two with Van der Vaart before firing between Souleymanou's legs. It took the Dutch just five minutes of the second half to muster a chance as Mark van Bommel played a sweeping ball forward for Van Persie which his team-mate wastefully hit at the goalkeeper. Sneijder's free-kick was on target but lacked power while Cameroon showed little conviction going forward. Van Persie, who would have been suspended for Holland's last 16 clash with Slovakia had he been cautioned, was withdrawn before the hour mark with Huntelaar coming on. Cameroon's best chance came moments later when substitute Vincent Aboubakar's clever reverse pass found Makoun - who looked offside - but the midfielder was denied by Stekelenburg with Chedjou then blasting over from the loose ball.

Growing stature

Cameroon, who grew in stature as the half wore on, were handed a 64th-minute penalty by referee Pablo Pozo when Van der Vaart raised his arm to block Geremi's free-kick, receiving a booking for his trouble. Captain Eto'o kept his nerve to convert a perfect