Cameroon cut Canada down to size

Canada striker Corazzin fails to find net

Cameroon 2-0 Canada

African champions Cameroon salvaged some pride after two straight defeats with a comfortable win over Canada in their final Group B match.

The Indomitable Lions finally found some of the attacking flair that had deserted them in their defeats by Brazil and Japan.

Bernard Tchoutang opened the scoring and a penalty kick by Patrick Mboma late on gave Cameroon all three points.

The Canadians were worn out by the feat it pulled off on Saturday by holding Brazil to a scoreless draw.

It was a battle between two big, athletic teams but Cameroon had the silk touch to add to their brawn and dominated possession.

  Key moments

48 mins: Bernard Tchoutang taps in Cameroon's first

81 mins: Patrick Mboma scores from penalty spot

Midfielder Salomon Olembe was Cameroon's hero, repeatedly tearing down the left side and launching pinpoint crosses in front of the goal.

Holger Osieck's Canadian side had more to play for as it had a glimmer of hope to qualify for the next round.

But Cameroon's firepower was too much for the Canadians.

Mboma: On scoresheet for Cameroon

Three minutes into the second period, Olembe dribbled into the square from the left side and played a pass through for Tchoutang, who only needed to tap the ball into the net.

But the crowd of 15,882 reserved their biggest cheer of the night for Mboma, formerly of J-League club Gamba Osaka.

The big Parma striker repaid the gesture by converting from the spot after Olembe was brought down in the box in the 81st minute.

  Final Group B standings

1 Japan P 3 Pts 7 GD +5

2 Brazil P 3 Pts 5 +2

3 Cameroon P 3 Pts 3 -2

4 Canada P 3 Pts 1 -5

Canada had a handful of chances in the first-half thanks to the good work of Nottingham Forest midfielder Jim Brennan.

In the 24th minute Brennan picked up a deflection from outside the area but his shot went wide.

The same player later broke free on the left flank but his cross, intended for forward Carlo Corazzin, was blocked by a defender.

However, Canada, who entered the tournament as rank outsiders, could not break down Cameroon and spared the Africans' blushes by leaving with the wooden spoon.

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Cameroon: Songo'o, Song, Kalla, Njanka, Tchoutang, Geremi, Epalle, Alnoudji, Foe, Ndiefi, Olembe. Subs: Boukar, Tchato, Wome, Etoo, Mboma, Lauren, Ntieche, Tchatchoua, Billong, Job, Gnom Kome, Kameni.

Canada: Forrest, Menezes, De Vos, Bent, Stalteri, Dasovic, Corazzin, Brennan, Fletcher, Imhof, Kusch. Subs: Clarke, Watson, Xausa, Onstad, Hastings, De Rosario, Nsaliwa, Peschisolido, Mckenna, Bircham, Franks.