FIFA Women’s World Cup: African challenge awaits Japan and USA

Defending champs “Nadeshiko” face fired-up Cameroon on Friday

VANCOUVER: Heavyweights Japan and the USA look to keep their title push on track at the Women’s World Cup on Friday, but must share the spotlight with African challengers Cameroon and Nigeria.

As the second round of group games continue across Canada, holders Japan next come up against a Cameroon side in Group C in Vancouver who are buoyed by their stunning 6-0 defeat of Ecuador in their opener.



Japan won their opener against Switzerland 1-0 but have been hit by the injury of striker Kozue Ando who has been ruled out of the rest of the competition with a fractured ankle.

Ando, 32, who has played more than 100 times for the “Nadeshiko”, was fouled by the Swiss goalkeeper and forced off the pitch.

Veteran Homare Sawa, who won her 200th cap against Switzerland, said they were wary of the Africans.

“I think they are very strong,” said the 36-year-old. “They have good individual skills. The African teams are now more organised and less erratic.”

And forward Shinobu Ohno admitted they were trying to cope with the pressure, as 4.2 million people tuned in back home to watch their opening game. “I feel a lot of difference [from 2011], a lot of people are now watching our matches,” said Ohno. “We do feel the pressure but we’re trying to convert it into something positive and joyful.”

Switzerland and Ecuador look for their first points in their Group C clash in Vancouver.

In Group D in Winnipeg, the USA, two-time winners and boosted by all three points in their opening match against Australia 3-1, face Sweden, who drew 3-3 with Nigeria.

African champions Nigeria next take on Australia with both sides desperate for all three points to keep their hopes alive.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 12^th,  2015.

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