Women's World Cup - Group C & D Summary

Group C round-up

Japan and Cameroon secured their passage to the round of 16 after both sides recorded victories in their final group games against Ecuador and Switzerland respectively.

Japan entered the clash with bottom side Ecuador, knowing that a point would secure them top spot in Group C, and the favourites got off to a dream start when Yuki Ogimi fired the Asian side into a 5th minute lead, an attempted shot by Yuika Sugasawa fell perfectly to Ogimi who rifled home from close range.

Despite opening the scoring within the first five minutes, Japan failed to capitalise on their sheer dominance and extend their lead despite the South American side having conceded 16 goals in their two previous games.

Cameroon and Switzerland both came into their final group game in Edmonton, knowing a victory would secure them a place in the last 16.

In a game of two halves, it was Switzerland who started brightest and after some early dominance took the lead in the 24th minute after Ana Maria Crnogorcevic raced on to a cross from Ramona Bachmann, before slotting a low shot past the Cameroon keeper from 12 yards.

When the sides emerged from the dressing rooms at half-time, Cameroon were first to settle and with two minutes on the clock, they appeared to catch the Swiss napping when Aboudi Onguene latched on to a cross from the left and she fired home from just inside the Swiss box.

In the 62nd minute, substitute Ngono Mani scored the match winning goal for Cameroon after she headed home from six yards, moments later the African side should have extended their lead further but they could not find a final pass when having a dangerous overlap.

Cameroon progress from Group C as runner-up, while Japan with a maximum nine points secure top seeds.

Below is the final group standings

1 Japan, 9 pts, Goal Difference  +3

2 Cameroon , 6 pts, +6

3 Switzerland, 3 pts, +7

4 Ecuador, 0 pts, -16

Group D Round Up

Yesterday, saw the final games of the group of death take place in the FIFA Women's World Cup. All contenders in Group D had a chance of qualification to the next stage of the FIFA Women's World Cup in their sights heading into the final group fixtures.

United States vs. Nigeria

A crowd of 52,193 in BC Place Stadium, Vancouver seen the United States punch their ticket to the next round of the FIFA Women's World Cup. The United States went into the game sitting top of the group with 4 points and Nigeria hopes remained alive although they only secured a single point from their opening two games.

A volley by captain and all-time leading International goal scorer Abby Wambach inside the dying seconds of the opening half secured a 1 - 0 victory for the Stars and Stripes. Nigeria's hopes of a result from their final game was diminished on the 69th minute when Sarah Nnodim picked up her second yellow card in the game and they were reduced to ten players for the final half hour.

The victory against Nigeria meant the Stars and Stripes finished as Group D winners with seven points in three games.

Match Highlights:

Australia vs. Sweden

Sweden entered their final game with two points after a draw in both of their games against Nigeria and the United States. A win was vital for Sweden to push Australia out of second place, who had previously lost to the United States and earned a win in their game versus Nigeria which put 3 important points on the board.

Lisa De Vanna put the Australian's ahead with less than five minutes on the clock. Sweden responded quickly through Sofia Jakobsson, who then equalised ten minutes later. Sweden had further chances throughout the game with both Caroline Seger and Sofia Jakobsson forcing saves from Australia's goalkeeper Lydia Williams.

The game ended in a draw which was enough for Australia to progress to last 16 as Group D runner-up. Sweden have to sweat out the results of the other games as they wait to see if they qualify as part of the best third place finishers.

Match Highlights: