Netherlands, Cameroon 0-0 through 15 minutes of World Cup match with little meaning

Netherlands, Cameroon 0-0 through 15 minutes

CAPE TOWN, South Africa — Cameroon and the Netherlands are 0-0 after getting off to a slow start in their Group E World Cup match.

Defender Aurelien Chedjou had a fifth-minute shot on goal for Cameroon, which cannot advance to the second round.

Midfielder Rafael van der Vaart then shot wide for the already-qualified Dutch.

The clear fate of both teams has taken away from the match’s importance, and that was reflected in the tempo of play.

The Netherlands started without Arjen Robben for the third consecutive match. But the 26-year-old winger is expected to come on a substitute after he recovered from a left hamstring injury.