China secured their place in the quarter-finals of the Women’s World Cup with a 1-0 win over Cameroon.

The 1999 runners-up, who failed to qualify for the 2011 tournament in Germany, were without coach Hao Wei as he served a one-match ban. But Wang Shanshan gave them the lead after 12 minutes and Cameroon, playing at their first finals, could not find a way past the Chinese defence.
China face the winners of Monday’s game between the United States and Colombia.

“It’s a bad day for the Cameroon national side. We came up against a very good team,” said Cameroon coach Ngachu after the game in Edmonton.

“We need to develop women’s football in Africa. We need good organisation, we also need to create as many clubs as possible. If we could have sponsorship it would be good,” said Ngachu.
“We have the talented players. The problem African nations face is preparation.

“The day we are prepared well an African nation will be able to win the World Cup. We hope that with this performance many things will change not just in Cameroon but in Africa.”

Germany crushed Sweden 4-1 in their encounter in Ottawa with Celia Sasic scored in each half against a disappointing Swedish side. Anja Mittag and Dzsenifer Marozsan also found the target for the pre-tournament favorites.

Germany’s resounding victory against a traditionally strong Sweden sent a clear message that Silvia Neid’s team have a real chance to go all the way and join their male counterparts as world champions.