SAITAMA -- Saudi Arabia became the first team to be eliminated from the 2002 World Cup after losing 1-0 to Cameroon in front of a crowd of 52,328 at Saitama Stadium on Thursday.

Samuel Eto'o's winner in the 65th minute made it mathematically impossible for the Saudis to advance from the group stage.

While the result puts Cameroon in joint top spot in Group E with Germany, its failure to score more than one goal may be significant. If Ireland beats Saudi Arabia (which now has nothing to play for) by more than one goal, it would mean that Cameroon would have to beat Germany to move into the Round of 16.

"We have to beat Germany," Cameroon's German-born coach Winfried Schaefer said after the match. "I didn't really want it this way but it is now this way. Germany will be the favorites, they have more experience. But I'm a Lion, I'm coach of the Cameroon team and I really want to get to the second round."

If Cameroon had entered this match expecting it to be a walkover, it was mistaken. Saudi Arabia came into the match on the wrong end of an 8-0 hiding in Sapporo and was missing captain and striker Sami Al Jabar through injury but nevertheless almost made the "Indomitable Lions" pay for their casual play, creating several first-half chances.

Cameroon itself had the ball in the back of the net on two occasions in the opening 45 minutes only for both goals to be ruled out through offside, the second of which could only be described as marginal as Arsenal midfielder Lauren headed in from a free-kick in the 44th minute.

Saudi Arabia's best chance of the game came as early as the ninth minute when defender Mohammed Al Jahani laid on a perfect cross to the unmarked Obaid Al Dosari at the far post and with the only the 'keeper to beat headed over the bar.

Al Dosari's day was to get worse. After having looked potentially the most dangerous of the Saudi players, Al Dosari sickeningly injured his left leg after falling awkwardly chasing a ball.

In Al Dosari's absence creative midfielder Nawaf Al Temyat pushed forward creating two good chances for himself late in the second half yet narrowly shooting wide on both occasions.

The first half ended with Cameroon having the majority of possession while allowing Saudi Arabia to sneak in for the odd chance.

However, the introduction of attacking defender Salomon Olembe at the start of the second half for the disappointing Daniel Ngom Kome seemed to awaken the sleeping Lions. Playing deep down the left wing, Olembe broke through the Saudi defense with pace before laying off to the unmarked Eto'o in the box who drilled the ball over the bar when it would have been easier to score.

In the 59th minute, Al Hasan Al Yami was booked for a spectacular dive in the area with Cameroon goalkeeper Boukar Alioum nowhere in sight. The shocked look on his face at receiving a yellow card provided one of the more light-hearted moments of a tense second half.

Cameroon began to take control as the half progressed and in the 65th minute a long through ball over the Saudi defense from Geremi saw Eto'o outpace the defense to slot home past the helpless onrushing Saudi captain and goalkeeper, Mohammed Al Deayea.

Credit must go to Saudi Arabia as it didn't roll over and die and pushed forward in search of the equalizer that would at least temporarily restore its status in the competition.

In the 70th minute, it was almost rewarded when it received a free-kick outside the area that was within millimeters of being inside and a penalty.

The remainder of the match saw Cameroon pressing for a second goal with Saudi Arabia restricted to the persistent long-range shooting of Al Temyat, despite the Saudi fans' attempts to lift their side back into the match and tournament.

"In the first match we were all shocked but today we showed the real Saudi team," Saudi coach Nasser Al-Johar said. "Cameroon is one of the favorites and has a great chance of going through to the next round. But we promise to do our best in our final match (against Ireland) and leave the World Cup on a good note."