GROUP E: Mick McCarthy last night welcomed the fact that in the wake of Cameroon's narrow victory over Saudi Arabia he now has a clear idea of what his Irish side must achieve on Tuesday if they are to progress to the second round of these World Cup finals.

"It has brought a bit of realism after all the talk and speculation that followed our draw with Germany," he said after watching Ireland's two Group E rivals in action at Saitama.

"We know that if we win by two goals we will get through but that we could be okay even with a one-goal win.

"It's as much as we could have expected and it's good to know where we stand."

The Republic of Ireland manager said that he had been impressed by the Saudis who managed to put their 8-0 hammering by Germany behind them and produce a much more respectable performance.

"They were far closer to the team I saw playing Iran in the Asian qualifiers," observed McCarthy.

"They were competitive in every department and gave Cameroon a tough match. I felt they should have scored and could even have won the game. But they still proved today that they are a decent side despite losing 8-0, much better than people give them credit for."

Cameroon's German coach Winfried Schaefer is determined his Lions will roar into the second round of the World Cup - even if it is at the expense of his countrymen.

Cameroon needed Samuel Eto'o's 66th-minute strike to see off a stubborn Saudi Arabia side who were determined to wipe away the unhappy memory of their mauling at the hands of Germany.

After the 1-0 victory Schaefer was facing up to the prospect of the country of his birth standing between the Indomitable Lions and a place in the second round of the World Cup.

"I am a Lion and I want to get through to the second round, even against Germany," said Schaefer.

"It was important that we won a match at the World Cup, and now we have a match against Germany.

"It will be a decisive match. I didn't want it this way, but it is now this way.

"Germany will, of course, be the favourites because they have more experience and have played more tournaments.

"It means we have to beat them because I don't think Saudi Arabia can beat the Republic of Ireland.

"I feel confident Ireland will win by at least two clear goals."

Schaefer could not resist a sarcastic sideswipe at the Saudis, saying: "Congratulations to Saudi Arabia; they fought very hard today. I would have loved it if they had fought hard against Germany.

"I now have to hope they play the same way against the Republic of Ireland as they did against us - but I do not trust them to do that."

Schaefer was not happy with his side's finishing either, saying "we have a problem in front of goal where we are not as strong as we should be.

"The important thing for me was to see that my team was working for every minute, and I always thought that the goal would come eventually."

Saudi Arabia coach Nasser Al-Johar felt his side had salvaged a great deal of pride after their humiliating defeat against Germany. "The team has recovered in this match to reflect a real picture of Saudi football," said Johar. "In the first match we were all shocked by the performance."

Al-Johar promised another battling display when the Saudis tackle the Republic of Ireland in Yokohama next Tuesday.

"We promise that we will do our best in the final match so that we can show the real quality of Saudi football and so that we can say goodbye to the World Cup on a good note," he said.