Johannesburg — There is nothing but pride to play for in the 2010 FIFA World Cup Group E match between Cameroon and Netherlands in Cape Town on Thursday, but the Indomitable Lions would love to go out on a high.

It has been a disappointing campaign for the Cameroonians, with rumours of infighting and dissatisfaction with the team selections of coach Paul Le Guen. Defeats to Japan and Denmark, games they really should have won, mean it will be an early flight home for Samuel Eto'o and Co.

The Netherlands have already secured their place in the Last 16 and will be gunning for top spot with another point, though that would throw up the possibility of a second round meeting with Italy.

Le Guen is likely to give some fringe players a run, though he does say the players need to "respect" the gravitas of the fixture.

"We have to keep on going, stay professional until the end, prepare the practice sessions for the game against the Netherlands," the French tactician said.

"It's not a friendly game, it's a World Cup game and we have to respect the Cameroonian people and the competition itself, all the spectators and TV viewers as well."

The Dutch will not want to let their standards slip, but coach Bert van Marwijk may well be tempted to rest some of his key men with the Last 16 looming.

"I take the match against Cameroon very seriously because it is in that match that the team has to show what they have learned," Van Marwijk said.

"And we want to improve in every match and it is important for the players to know exactly what is asked of them in every position. Therefore, the match against Cameroon is also a match in which we have to improve ourselves."

The future of Le Guen at the helm of Cameroon may depend on this match. He has already said he would like to stay on as coach, but the notoriously fickle Cameroon FA would not look kindly on a campaign that yielded three defeats.

However, a win over the fourth-ranked side in the world would still be seen as an achievement, even if it was in a dead rubber.