Ananimus

• Netherlands and Canada reach last 16
• Cameroon and New Zealand set to battle out for group E ‘s third
• Reaction and more :#NEDCMR and #CANNZL live Blogs.

A pair of reasonably routine victories for the top seeds in Group E sow them bath reach the round of 16 ,increasing the number of teams confirmed in the FIFA Women’s World Cup.™ knockout stages to six. A brace from the magnificent Vivianne Miedema in a 3-1 win over Cameroon saw the Netherlands through to next stage, securing her place in Dutch footballing history in the process by becoming her nation’s all time leading markwoman with 60 goals at the age of just 22.

The 2015 hosts secured their spot in the round of 16 for the first time in a Women’s World Cup hosted of North America ,thanks to a straight forward victory against New Zealand. The Football Ferns will now face off against the African side in the final round of group games in an attempt to finish as one of the best third placed sides and progress to the next stage.

Netherlands 3-1 Cameroon, Group E, Valenciennes

Team reporter analysis

Emma Coolen (NED)

In a match that was sloppy from both sides, the Dutch brought the intensity, but not the focus to the pitch that was needed to really give a physically strong and tough Cameroon side a difficult day. In the end, individual skill from Dominique Bloodworth and Vivianne Miedema secured a win and a place in last 16 for the Orange Lionesses. But talking points will be plenty in’ Camp Oranje ‘ going forward in the tournament Hopefully, the upcoming game against Canada, where there will be no pressure to get a result, will give the Dutch an opportunity to play freely and get back in the swing of things.

Cynthia Nzetia (CMR)

Second match, second defeat for the Indomitable Lionesses. They imposed a physical battle on imposed a physical battle on the Dutch, which they paid for at the end of the match. The Cameroon showed much more than they did against Canada, but it was not enough to win the match. Their final against New Zealand is now a direct battle for third place, with Cameroon needing a win to stand any real chance of progressing post the group stage as one of the best third-placed sides.

• Australia revived their campaign with action -packed win over Brazil
• Matildas became just second nation to win after being two goals down
• Player of the Match Chole Logarzo says scoring “is like a dream come true “

By Pete Smith with Australia

“Not at one point did I think we are going to lose the game. “

It is quite a statement from Australia midfielder Chole Logarzo given the Matildas were 2-0 down against a Marta-inspired Brazil who were just starting to find their Jojo bonito rhythm.

But a remarkable 20-minutes three -goal turnaround saw the Aussies become just the second team in FIFA Women’s World Cup™ history to win after conceding a two goal deficit (other than via a penalty shoot out) .The only other team to do so was Sweden, and that was 24 years ago.

Ultimately the drama -charged 3-2 win kick started a teetering campaign for the Green and Gold.

But when it comes to heart and belief the Matildas are no ordinary team. They even have the phrase Never say Die embroidered into their shirt. First coined at the 2007 Women’s World Cup after a breakthrough campaign, the tag line has since become associated with the team. And they tend to live up to that expression in spades.

In four of the last ten Women’s World Cup matches when the Matildas have fallen behind ,they have come back to either draw or win.

The first match in tournament to feature two top-ten nations, this was a contest that had everything. Inevitably Marta put her stamp on the match after her own Women’s World Cup record to 16 goals and becoming the first players to net in five editions tournament.

But the player that had the most effect on the match was a World Cup rookie. Aussie midfielder Logarzo was named Player of the Match for her crucial second goal and extraordinary work rate.

A born fighter, the metronome like Logarzo encapsulates the Matildas character.

“I think it’s the Australian spirit and(coach) Ante ( Milicic) came in (at half-time) and said exactly the same thing. When we have backs to the wall, we come out swinging.

“It was really disheartening for us against Italy. Although he had a moment to be sad about it, we had to move on and Ante has done a really job in instilling belief in us.”

Long renowned for her long-ranges strikes, Logarzo was an inch or so away from sending Australia into the medal round of the 2016’Rio Olympic Games at the expense of the hosts when her effort crashed against the crossbar.

But the bad luck experienced against Brazil in Belo Horizonte three years ago was flipped around this time. Logarzo drew Australia level in Montpelier, but admits it was a happy accident.

“I will let you in on a little secret, it was a just a through ball to Sam(Kerr),”Logarzo said through a broad smile after the match. “But Sam did a great job disguising it and putting the goalkeeper off so I will take it.

“I can’t even describe it (scoring), it is a dream come true. To do it front of my friends and family was extra special. That goal and celebration was for (injured team -mate) Laura Alleyway.

Logarzo made a pact to herself after being cut before the last World Cup that she would do everything in her power to be at France 2019.Now ,having overcome a leg fracture suffered just four months ago ,Logarzo is determined that the Matildas make the most of his opportunity.

“I think we just established ourselves in the Competition. We have belief in ourselves and we will keep that the rest of the tournament .”

• 17-year-old fired up for Germany.

• Offers versatility in midfield.

• Cities Morozsan as her role model.

By Steffen Potter with Germany

Most fairly modest people become coy when asked what they are good at -but ask Germany’s Lena Oberdorf where she can improve, and the answers practically tumble out of her mouth.

” I think I have to be even more confident about what can do out on the pitch, maybe be a little calmer and prepare myself more so that I already know what my next move is going to be, ” the17-year old FIFA. com after her country’s 1-0 win over Spain. She already has an example to follow within her own team.

“That’s What set someone like Dzseni Morozsan apart, the fact that she is so calm on the ball and knows exactly what she wants to do and where the next free player is. I want to get to that level somebody too. “

The SGS Essen midfielder boasts a decent track record at this FIFA Women’s World Cup so far. She became Germany’s youngest ever player when she was brought on at half-time in their opening 1-0 over China PR and provided some much needed stability in Central midfield. She then started the second match against Spain on the left wing before moving back into the center after half -time.

Whenever she plays, Oberdorf garner glowing reviews from observers, with head coach Martina Voss-Tecklenburg describing her as”fantastic” after the China game.

Despite her young age, Oberdorf who is still in school impresses with her calmness and serenity on the ball, uses her physical strength to great effect and can demonstrate impressive amounts of energy too. How is all that possible after just one season in the Bundesliga?

“I don’t really know how I do it either, “she laughed. “I still can’t grasp it at all. You get a bit nervous before each game, of course, but that all goes away once the match starts -then I can concentrate on my game.

The flexibility shown by several players in this Germany team is part of what makes them so difficult to predict. When the starting line-ups for their most recent match were announced, Spain assumed that they were using a 4-2-3-1 formation with Oberdorf in central midfield.

“I already feel more at home in the center of midfield than out on the wing, but I don’t mind being used in different positions, “She explained. “I’m used to that youth level, and I even played on the wing at the U-20 World Cup, “added Oberdorf who became U-17 European champion and was named player of the tournament at the age of 15 in 2017.

“With Lena, we want to introduce a physical presence, “Voss -Tecklenburg explained after Germany’s opening match. “If we can do that with our youngest player, then that says a lot about her.

Centre half and Club team -mate Marina Itegering added :Lena is already a top performer for Essen at the age of 17,and that’s no ordinary achievement. But she already has personality on the pitch; she has charisma and knows how to give a good account of herself. You’ll be hearing a lot more anger.

As if that was not enough, Oberdorf has already scored nine goals in just 16Bundesliga appearances. Who knows? Perhaps she will get her name one the score sheet in France as well. It will come as no surprise if she does.

• Argentina claim historic point against Japan .
• Canada begin campaign with slender victory versus Cameron.

• Reaction and more:#ARGJPN and #CANCMR Live Blogs.

It is not usually a scoreline that draws the headlines, but a goalless draw was enough for Argentina to claim the plaudits on match day five. Their maiden FIFA Women’s World Cup point at their seventh attempt -came against 2011 Champions Japan, whose momentum as finalists from the past two editions was halted by a resolute performance by the South Americans.

In the later kick -off, 2015 hosts Canada began the France 2019 campaign with a hard-fought 1-0 victory against an equally -steadfast Cameroon side. In a similar pattern to the earlier game, the 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 efforts was enough to secure all three points.

Argentina 0-0 Japan

Team reporter analysis

Diego Zandrino (ARG)

Argentina got their ever Women’s World Cup point after a very strong defensive performance. The Albiceleste Player plugged every gap in their incredibly strong backline containing the usually precise Japanese side’s attack. It is fair to say that final third, but that was to be expected against such a power house of the women’s game, and after expanding so much of their energy on their defensive work.

Ai Yoshiizumi (JPN)

This scoreless draw was the result of the work ethic of two incredibly diligent teams cancelling each other out.Japan held the ball well but were unable to create clear-cut opportunities to truly trouble the Argentina defence.

For their opponents, it was a result that was celebrated like a victory. Their post-match jubilance should serve to fire up the Nadeshiko in positive way. One of the Japan’s strong points is the ability to solve problems in a short space of time. We should see goals in next game.

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