Cameroon lose Women’s World Cup opener 1-0 to Canada

 The 2015 Women’s World Cup hosts Canada began their 2019 Group E campaign with a hard-fought 1-0 victory against an equally-steadfast Cameroon side in Montpellier, France, on Monday night.

The Canadian heavyweight slugged it out against a tactically firm and defensive minnow. However, on this occasion, the dominant force broke the resistance – Kadeisha Buchanan’s first-half headed effort was enough to secure all three points.

The high energy levels in the first half saw both teams working hard to create opportunities.

Cameroon’s strong defence held off Canada’s organised build-up play until Buchanan’s breakthrough just before the interval.

With a one-goal lead and the pressure slightly off, Canada confidently continued their strategy of creative forward play, and Cameroon were unable to exert the same level of pressure in the second half as they had in the first.

Cameroon were strong in defence but their attacking plan seemed to be simply hoping for an error by their opponent in order to make a breakthrough.

They could have done better because Canada left some spaces here and there – and they did lack some clarity in front of goal.

Alain Djeumfa’s side were positively aggressive in their general play and defensive work, although it counted for nothing on the night.

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