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    Tuesday, June 16, 2015

    Australia, USA, Japan into Women's World Cup last 16




    Australia's Matildas joined holders Japan and Olympic champions the United States on Tuesday in advancing to the last 16 at the Women's World Cup.
    The United States, beaten in the 2011 final by Japan, eliminated Nigeria 1-0 in Vancouver to lead Group D, after the Japanese had beaten Ecuador 1-0 to top Group C.
    Australia finished second in Group D after holding Sweden 1-1 in Edmonton, while surprise African newcomers Cameroon beat Switzerland 2-1 to advance second in Group C.
    "I'm pleased with how we played and pleased to be moving out of a tough, tough group," US coach Jill Ellis said of the 'Group of Death'.
    Captain Abby Wambach scored her 183rd international goal just before halftime off a Megan Rapinoe corner.
    The 35-year-old has 14 World Cup goals, just one shy of Brazil star Marta's record 15, achieved earlier in the tournament.
    Nigeria's defence had been hit by Ugo Njoku's suspension and the African champions were down to 10 women for the final 20 minutes after defender Sarah Nnodim was sent off for second yellow card.
    The US advance to the knockout round as Group D leaders with seven points, with Australia on four and Sweden three.
    Nigeria are eliminated with just one point.
    As Group D winners, the US next meet one of the four best third-placed finishers from another group on Monday in Edmonton.
    A draw was enough for Australia to go through for their third consecutive tournament, and they next play Brazil on Sunday in Moncton.
    Captain Lisa De Vanna scored after five minutes for the Matildas but, 10 minutes later, 2003 runners-up Sweden levelled via Sofia Jakobsson.
    Japan's Yuki Ogimi scored after five minutes in Winnipeg for Japan against 48th-ranked Ecuador.
    Japan top Group C with nine points, with Cameroon on six. Switzerland have three points with Ecuador on the way home with none.
    Coach Norio Sasaki's side will also face one of the four third-place finishers to advance in Vancouver next Tuesday.
    "It was good to score early tonight; we should have scored more but we weren't able to. They were very persistent in their defence," said Sasaki.
    In Edmonton, Cameroon came from behind to beat Switzerland, who had taken the lead when Ana Maria Crnogorcevic scored after 24 minutes.
    After the break, goals from Gabrielle Onguene after 47 minutes and a powerful header from substitute Madeleine Ngono Mani on 62 sealed all three points for 53rd-ranked Cameroon.
    It is only the second time an African side has made it out of the group stage after Nigeria in 1999.
    As second-placed finishers in Group C, Cameroon next play Group A runners-up China in Edmonton on Saturday.
    Sweden and Switzerland must wait to see if they finish as one of the four best third-placed finishers across the six groups
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