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Canada edges past Cameroon in Group E opener

John Walton - EMPICS / PA Images / Getty

Canada is one step closer to reaching the knockout stage of the World Cup for the second successive tournament after opening Group E play with a straightforward 1-0 victory over Cameroon on Monday in Montpellier.

Kadeisha Buchanan opened the scoring seconds before the interval when the towering center-back leaped to head Janine Beckie's looping corner at the far post beyond a diving Annette Ndom on the bounce.

It was a deserved reward for a player who was tested often in the opening stanza. From the jump, Cameroon's game plan hinged on splitting the Canadian center-half pairing of Buchanan and Shelina Zadorsky with long balls over the top to wingers Ajara Nchout and Gabrielle Onguene.

Fifth-ranked Canada controlled the first half but lacked precision in the final third as star striker Christine Sinclair found herself largely isolated.

The right side is where Canada found the most joy after the break. Buchanan's poised distribution frequently connected with fellow France-based standout Ashley Lawrence, who created chances with surging runs forward in combination with Nichelle Prince and her substitute Deanne Rose.

But the Canadians failed to capitalize, and the countless attacks without compensation will be cause for concern for coach Kenneth Heiner-Moller as they face increasingly challenging competition going forward.

Cameroon's best chance of the game came in the 70th minute when Claudine Meffometou narrowly headed a corner kick wide in a play replicating Buchanan's goal.

Canada was the better side, finishing with two-thirds of possession and six shots on target to Cameroon's one. It was the first time the two nations met in a competitive fixture, and one of 11 group stage fixtures between unfamiliar foes.

Canada now holds the top spot in Group E ahead of Tuesday's meeting between New Zealand and the Netherlands in Le Havre.

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