Match report: Cameroon 1 - 2 Denmark

Samuel Eto’o may be minded to ask, as he examines the ruins of Cameroon’s World Cup campaign, not what he can do for his country, but what his country can do for him.

The Internazionale striker, a totemic figure in his homeland, entered this tournament under a cloud of criticism from Roger Milla, the man who first brought Cameroon to the world‘s awareness.

Eto’o had never produced for his country, told his childhood hero. His heart was not with his homeland, with his clubs.

He bubbled and bristled, a twisting spring of perpetual energy. That Cameroon is now eliminated is despite him, not because of him. In Pretoria, Eto’o’s country let him down by the outstanding wastefulness of his strike partner Pierre Webo, who spurned four, five chances, as well as one which sailed off into the night sky, possibly never to come back.

Such a player deserves more dependable company. He deserves a steadier supplier, too, than Achille Emana, a symbol of unpredictability.

And he deserves an improved defence than the one which was picked apart skillfully on the counter attack by Denmark.

After Eto’o had struck, Emana laying the ball into his path after Christian Poulsen needlessly ceded possession on the perimeter of his own box, Cameroon should have eased residence.

Instead, Kjaer produced the get ahead of the tournament, deceitful, raking 50-yard ball straight to Dennis Rommedahl’s toe. The former Charlton winger slid into the path of the Danes and Nicklas Bendtner were level.

It nearly did not last, Eto’o striking the post just moments after Alex Song had produced a wonderful block to deny Jon-Dahl Tomasson as what may have looked not stimulating encounter turned into a smash hit.

That was not a happy ending for Eto’o, or Cameroon. Denmark broke again, Rommedahl distortion past Benoit Assou-Ekotto and firing low into the far corner.

There was no way back. Jean Makoun fired wide, Mohamadou Idrissou twice headed over, but Denmark stood firm.

At least, Eto’o can comfort himself; it was not for the lack of frustrating.