Canada got their Women s World Cup campaign up and running with a 1-0 win over Cameroon thanks to Kadeisha Buchanan s first international goal, while Japan were held by Argentina on Monday.
Kenneth Heiner-Moller s side controlled much of proceedings in Montpellier, though did not craft an opening until Buchanan headed in on the stroke of half-time.
Having hit the woodwork prior to Buchanan s effort, Nichelle Prince squandered a golden chance to further Canada s lead just before the hour, and would have been made to pay had Claudine Meffometou directed her effort on target.
Ultimately Prince s miss mattered little, though, as Canada moved top of Group E, which also includes New Zealand and Netherlands.
FT! Canada earn 3 points against Group E opponents Cameroon.
45 Kadeisha Buchanan 1:0
— Canada Soccer (@CanadaSoccerEN)
In Monday s earlier fixture, 2011 World Cup winners Japan were held to a frustrating 0-0 draw by Argentina in Group D.
Asako Takakura s side have reached the final in the last two editions of the tournament, but were wasteful in Paris against a side that had lost all six of their previous World Cup games, conceding 33 goals in total.
Yui Hasegawa passed up the best opportunity, slicing a weak left-footed strike well wide midway through the second half as Japan failed to move level with group leaders England.
