Vancouver (Canada): Defending champions Japan became the first team to advance to the last 16 of the Women’s World Cup as the United States’ progress was stalled by a goalless draw with Sweden. Aya Sameshima and Yuika Sugasawa sealed Japan’s 2-1 win over Group ‘C’ rivals Cameroon in Vancouver, seeing the Nadeshiko through to the knockout stage with a game to spare. Japan have six points from two games, having also beaten Switzerland 1-0, with the Swiss on three after whipping Ecuador 10-1 on Friday.
Cameroon, who beat Ecuador 6-0 on Monday, are also on three points while the winless South Americans are the first team to be eliminated from the World Cup. The United States, among the tournament favourites, were held to a 0-0 draw by a Swedish side led by the Americans’ former coach Pia Sundhage, as Group ‘D’ goes down to the wire following Australia’s 2-0 win over Nigeria, courtesy of a Kyah Simon brace.
The US lead the group with four points, followed by Australia on three, Sweden on two and Nigeria bottom with one point.The Japanese quickly took control of the game at BC Place Stadium with defender Sameshima opening the scoring after just six minutes and forward Sugasawa getting the second goal eleven minutes later.
Cameroon fought back desperately late in the second half, but Ajara Nchout’s goal on 90 minutes was not enough as Gaelle Enganamouit’s header and a shot by Augustine Ejangue both sailed wide in the dying minutes.
