Canada collected full points as Kadeisha Buchanan’s 45th-minute goal helped them get the better of Cameroon.
Canada took on Cameroon in the opening game of Group E, at the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2019 at the Stade de la Mosson, Montpellier
Canada:
Canada has been a part of the last seven World Cups and also hosted the last edition of the FIFA World Cup in 2015. Their best finish in the Senior being a fourth-place finish in 2003 when they lost to the United States 1-3 in the third-place playoff. Canada has to its credit, won the Runner up position at the first edition of the FIFA U-19 Women’s World Championship in 2002. Canada are two-time CONCACAF Women’s Gold Cup champions, and two-time Olympic bronze medalists from London 2012 where they defeated France 1–0 and repeated the feat once again in Rio 2016, defeating hosts Brazil 2–1.
They are Coached by Danish Kenneth Heiner-Møller who opted to adopt the 4-4-2 formation with their talismanic captain Christine Sinclair and Jessie Fleming in the attack.
Cameroon:
Cameroon made their World Cup debut in the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2015 but have not progressed beyond the Round of 16. The African Lionesses finished second in 1991, 2004, 2014, and 2016 Africa Women Cup of Nations. Cameroon participated in the 2012 London Olympic Games.
They are coached by 46-year-old Alain Djeumfa who has chosen to follow the 5-4-1 formation, with the attacking duties resting on the shoulders of Marlyse Ngo Ndoumbouk
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This is the first time that the two face each other in a World Cup fixture.
First Half: Kadeisha Buchanan scored for Canada
Canada starts the game stronger with good possession of the ball especially in the midfield with Nichelle Prince, Desiree Scott, Sophie Schmidt, Janine Beckie distributing the ball evenly.
3 minute into the first half and Canada win a set piece where Christine Sinclair rises above the rest to head the ball towards the Cameroon Goal but strays wide for the second time as she did in Canada’s first corner. Christine Sinclair is one of just nine players to have scored in four editions of the FIFA Women’s World Cup. She and Brazil’s Marta are the only players in France 2019 with a chance to increase that tally to five.
The game shows sign of physical aggression early in the 8th minute as Nchout takes to the turf after a tough tackle inside the Canadian half.
The trio of Gabrielle Onguene, Ajara Nchout and Raissa Feudjio have a combined well for the African Lionesses and Canada has to almost resort to a one on one marking to keep them at bay
Right Winger Gabrielle Aboudi Onguene lights up the flank in the first half for a Cameroon attack midway in the first half.
Minutes before the halftime Canada won a Corner and central defender Kadeisha Buchanan brilliantly jostles through the crowd to head the ball into the opposite goal and give Canada the vital lead. Canada 1 – 0 Cameroon
This was Buchanan’s fourth for her country and, of those four, three have been scored with her head
Ri Hyang-ok from North Korea blows the Half time whistle and Canada have the lone goal advantage
Second Half:
Canada continue to press forward but the Cameroon defence is sold and don’t give a square inch of ground for the forwards to fire on goal.
15 minutes in the second half and Prince volleys the ball towards the top corner of the Cameroon goal but the ball balloons wide.
Cameroon pile their bodies in the line of Sinclairs effort and their commitment to defend is resolute.
70th minute and Cameroon and left Wing back Claudine Meffometou got into the action when she was left unmarked on the far post. She tries to bury her header past the Canadian keeper Stephanie Labbé but goes wide.
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An 89th minute Canada could have doubled their lead when a brilliant effort from Sophie Schmidt on the far post finds Sinclair who tries to slot the ball home. The effort is blocked on the Cameroon goal line and cleared.
The final whistle and Canada can rejoice as they collect all three points while Cameroon can only be content with a sturdy and gutsy performance. Canada take the early lead in Pool E but the other two teams Netherlands and New Zealand will are yet to start their campaign at France 2019.
Player of the Match:
Kadeisha Buchanan won Player of the Match award for her match-winning goal.