The knockout stage of the 2015 FIFA World Cup is under way with a tight matchup between two highly-defensive teams in China and Cameroon. China booked its spot in the second round by finishing second in Group A, while Cameroon defeated Ecuador and Switzerland to finish second in Group C. Read on for a breakdown of this tight matchup in the Round of 16.
China opened its World Cup campaign with a tight 1-0 loss to host, Canada. China then beat the Netherlands and forced a draw against New Zealand to finish second in Group A, and reach the knockout stage.
[sc:Soccer240banner ]The Steel Roses are at their best when speeding up the game with plenty of passes. Their style leads them to get many quality looks and shots on target. China has three goals on 41 shots at the tournament thus far. The team has 16 shots on target in its last two matches.
Wang Lisi leads the Chinese attack with two goals on just three shots on target, while Wang Shanshan scored the other of China’s three goals.
China will be at its best on the break. With Cameroon playing its usual attack-at-all-costs style, the rich Chinese midfield should be able to rest possession away from their aggressive opponents for an attempt at a counterattack. They have a couple of potent finishers in midfield with Ma Jun leading the team with 15 international goals and Zhang Rui right behind her with 11.
China is hasn’t been beaten in three of its last five matches.
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Betting on Cameroon
Cameroon upset Switzerland in its final group stage match to finish second in Group C. The Cameroonians have one of the most highly-potent offenses in the tournament, scoring nine goals in three matches (third among all the teams in the World Cup).
Gaelle Enganamouit (three), Gabrielle Onguene (two) and Madeleine Ngono Mani (two) are three players to have scored more than once in the Cameroon lineup. At 31 years old, Ngono Mani is the most experienced among the three. She’s the most potent finisher with 40 international goals in 75 caps. Ngono Mani should be a nice anchor in midfield to help push the pace against a tricky Chinese attack.
While Cameroon may be susceptible to counterattacks due to their preferred style of pressing the action in its opponent’s half, it does have a solid defense led by goalkeeper Annette Ngo Ndom. She has six saves and a shutout in Cameroon’s Group Stage run, most notably holding Switzerland’s blistering offense to just one goal in their final match.
Cameroon has yet to concede a goal in the second half of a match at the World Cup.
Writer’s Prediction
Cameroon and China play to a 0-0 tie (+222). China advances through penalty kicks.
