Women’s World Cup: Japan, USA open campaign with wins as Africans charge

Nigeria hold Sweden 3-3, Cameroon thrash Ecuador 6-0 in first matches.

VANCOUVER: Holders Japan and former winners USA got their Women’s World Cup campaigns off to strong starts on Monday, while Cameroon and Nigeria warned Africa would field challengers.

Japan grabbed three points in Group C against newcomers Switzerland thanks to captain Aya Miyama’s 29th-minute penalty, while in Group D, USA were given a rough ride before dispatching Australia 3-1.

But the performances of two of Africa’s teams — Cameroon and Nigeria — gave the continent hope a day after the humiliating 10-0 defeat of Ivory Coast to Germany.

Continental champions Nigeria fought back from two goals down to hold Sweden 3-3 in Group D, while Cameroon thrashed fellow newcomers Ecuador 6-0 in Group C.

“We’re galvanised and ready to make Africa proud,” warned Cameroon coach Enow Ngachu.

For USA, midfielder Megan Rapinoe helped get the 1991 and 1999 winners on the winning path on front of thousands of fans who travelled the short distance over the border to Winnipeg.

The Americans came up against a tenacious Australian side before Rapinoe’s double strike on 12 and 78 minutes and a Christen Press goal on 61 sealed victory.

“A couple of bits of class in the end from Rapinoe changed the game,” said Australia coach Alen Stajcic. “I thought we put in a good performance but it’s not enough. We need to regroup and improve for the next game. It’s still a long way to go.”

Co-captain Lisa de Vanna marked her 100th cap for the Matildas with an equaliser after 27 minutes.

Meanwhile, given the goal sprees in the day’s three other games, it was a low-key opener by Asian champions Japan in Vancouver.

The winning penalty, awarded after Frankfurt midfielder Kozue Ando was fouled inside the box by Swiss goalie Gaelle Thalmann, was the only goal of the night at BC Place Stadium.

But it was enough to seal all three points for the “Nadeshiko” — Japan’s nickname and a pink flower symbolizing grace and beauty.

The tie marked the 200th cap for Homare Sawa and the 150th for Miyama, who also scored her 37th international goal.

“I’m very happy that Sawa could celebrate her 200th game with a win,” said Miyama. 

Published in The Express Tribune, June 10^th,  2015.

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