Women’s World Cup: US fly past Australia; Francisca Ordega saves Nigeria v Sweden

The Americans started their Women's World Cup campaign on Monday with a 3-1 win over Australia while Nigeria fought Sweden to a 3-3 draw.

Megan Rapinoe of United States celebrates her opening goal against Australia in her team's Women's World Cup win on Monday in Winnipeg, Canada. Kevin C Cox / Getty Images / AFP / June 8, 2015

USA 3-1 Australia

A double from midfielder Megan Rapinoe helped get the United States off to a 3-1 winning start in a tough test against Australia in the Women’s World Cup on Monday.

Favourites for a third title along with fellow two-time winners Germany, the Americans came up against a tenacious Australian side before Rapinoe’s double on 12 and 78 minutes and a Christen Press goal on 61 sealed victory.

Co-captain Lisa de Vanna marked her 100th cap for Australia by scoring after 27 minutes as her side dominated the first half.

It was the 36th goal for De Vanna since making her international debut in 2004.

Only for solid goalkeeping by Hope Solo in the US goal, the damage could have been worse for the 2011 runners-up.

As it is, Jill Ellis’s side are top of Group D with three points, followed by Nigeria and Sweden, who played out a 3-3 draw earlier, with Australia bottom.

In the next game on June 12 in Winnipeg Stadium, the United States will play Sweden with Australia up against Nigeria.

The 1991 and 1999 winners, ranked second behind the Germans, were given a stiff test by the 10th-ranked Australians in front of a largely American crowd at Winnipeg Stadium.

Solo was tested early by Emily van Egmond, but the American goalkeeper tipped the ball over the crossbar.

Australia came close again, with Solo denying Samantha Kerr’s well-hit volley.

But Australia got their equaliser after a good spell of possession, Michelle Heyman passed to De Vanna, who made no mistake, firing into the side netting.

US captain Abby Wambach was largely uninvolved for most of the game, with her chance to score off a Rapinoe free-kick headed wide.

But Press got the Americans back in the groove when she finished off a Sydney Leroux cross.

Fifteen minutes later, Rapinoe sealed the game with an impressive solo run down the field to fire past a helpless Melissa Barbieri in goal.

Nigeria 3-3 Sweden

African champions Nigeria fought back from two goals down to hold European heavyweights Sweden 3-3 in their Women’s World Cup Group D clash on Monday.

The Super Falcons showed determination from the outset to claim a first win in four meetings with the 2003 runners-up.

But despite dominating early the Africans fell behind after 21 minutes when Desire Oparanozie bungled in an own goal following an Emma Berglund header from a corner.

Ten minutes later they were two goals down to the fifth-ranked Swedes after a poor clearance allowed Nilla Fischer to score.

But they came out fighting in the second half with Ngozi Okobi reducing the deficit after 50 minutes past Hedvig Lindahl in the Sweden goal.

Three minutes later Asisat Oshoala, the golden shoe winner at the Fifa U20 Women’s World Cup Canada 2014, levelled.

And in a desperate scramble substitute Linda Sembrant put Sweden back on front only for Francisca Ordega to salvage a point for the 33rd-ranked Super Falcons three minutes from time with a goal that rolled through Lindahl’s legs.

“They expected to win, and at the end of the day we got a draw,” said Nigeria coach Edwin Okon.

Nigeria next play Australia in Winnipeg on Thursday with Sweden, now coached by former US coach Pia Sundhage, taking on the Americans.

“We’re not happy that we gave up three goals, however, at the end of the day we got one point and there’s good things to bring to the next game,” said Sundhage.

“The game plan was different than what you saw. Again, we got one point and next time, when we play the States, I hope we will follow the game plan.”

Cameroon 6-0 Ecuador

Striker Gaelle Enganamouit netted a hat-trick to put Cameroon on their way to a 6-0 win over 10-woman Ecuador in a battle between newcomers at the Women’s World Cup on Monday.

The Swedish-based player was pivotal for the West Africans giving them a boost ahead of their next Group C game against titleholders Japan.

“We’ve been waiting for this qualification for a long time, it means a lot for us to be here,” said Enganamouit after a game played before a sparse crowd at Vancouver’s BC Place stadium.

Coach Enow Ngachu added: “We came here to learn. It’s our first participation, it’s history, I can’t imagine what is happening back home.”

The player from Yaounde, who turns 24 years on Tuesday, had a role in all her side’s goals, setting up Madeleine Ngono Mani to open the floodgates on 34 minutes and two minutes later scored herself.

The South Americans had a chance off an Ambar Torres free-kick, but it was Cameroon who extended their lead before the break as captain Christine Manie slotted home a penalty following a Kerly Real foul in the box.

Enganamouit then helped bring about a red card for Ecuador captain Ligia Moreira for a last-defender foul midway through the second period. She then scored following a cross from Gabrielle Onguene on 73 minutes.

Another penalty was awarded following a handball from substitute Katherine Ortiz and a penalty taken by Onguene, before a third spot-kick in injury time by Enganamouit.

Cameroon now prepare to match their skills against Japan, who play Switzerland later on Monday in Vancouver.

Ecuador next take on the Swiss on Friday.

Japan 1-0 Switzerland

A first-half penalty converted by captain Aya Miyama got defending champions’ Japan going at the Women’s World Cup with a winning start against Switzerland on Monday.

The 29th-minute 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 Vancouver’s BC Place Stadium.

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

The tie marked the 200th cap for veteran 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.

Coach Norio Sasaki however substituted Sawa in the second half with young teammate Yuri Kawamura, at 26 ten years the former world player of the year’s younger.

“She (Sawa) wasn’t injured, but I’m using her in a more protected manner,” said Sasaki cautiously, of the player who had been hampered by injuries in the past year.

“I told her that I would do this.”

Despite a strong performance from young Swiss forward Ramona Bachmann, Martina Voss-Tecklenburg’s debutants failed to convert any of their chances.

“She’s the saddest girl tonight,” said Voss-Tecklenburg of 24-year-old Bachmann who missed a chance just before the break to level but her drive went just wide.

“She’s shown on the world stage what she can do, she’s a fantastic player.”

She again missed another chance after the break after outfoxing three Japanese defenders and goalkeeper Erina Yamane, only to slip on the artificial turf.

The Asian champions went close to doubling their lead midway through the second half but Yuika Sugasawa’s shot hit the post.

Bachmann continued to push forward looking for the winner but a last-gasp chance went over the bar.

Japan next play Cameroon, who are top of Group C after their 6-0 thrashing of fellow newcomers Ecuador, earlier in Vancouver, and are equal on points with Japan.

“I wish we had played this game in a much cooler manner,” said Sasaki. “At the beginning there was pressure from the Swiss and it was very tense.

“But we won, that is the most important, and I’m glad that we can send home this news that we won.”

The South Americans and Switzerland will be looking for their first points when they play each other next Friday.

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