Canada gave themselves a lot to do, but they prevailed in a 3-2 win over Cameroon in the opening game of their FIFA U17 Women's World Cup campaign. Jordyn Huitema put Canada ahead in only in the third minute from an Anyssa Ibrahim assist. Cameroon scored two unanswered goals through Solie Djoubi in the 17th minute and Cladia Dabda in the 42nd minute. Canada drew level in the 78th minute through a Sarah Stratigakis penalty, and finally took the lead for good when Hannah Taylor converted a corner from Juila Grosso in the 83rd minute.

With the win, Canada sit in first place in Group B ahead of second-place Germany who won 2:1 over Venezuela on the opening day.

FIRST HALF:

Canada wasted no time getting on the board, Jordyn Huitema scoring three minutes into the game and getting Canada off to a flying start in the tournament. Anyssa Ibrahim was driving through the midfield before slipping a through ball behind the defence for Huitema to chase. She was behind the defence and was able to catch the goalkeeper out of position, neatly finishing into the bottom left corner.

Canada had another good opportunity in the seventh minute when a series of good passes lured Carole Mimboe out of the Cameroon goal into no-mans land. Huitema was able to get behind her and faced a goal guarded only by a retreating defender. The Canadian striker was off balance when striking the ball, however, and her left footed effort went wide.

Cameroon levelled up the game in the 17th minute in unusual circumstances. Marissa Zuchetto was judged to have picked up a pass directly from a team-mate, and the referee awarded an indirect free kick in the penalty area for the back-pass. The ball was teed up for Solie Djoubi who drove it in hard and low, levelling the score at 1-1.

Emma Regan was a particularly influential presence as the half wore on, advancing up the right flank with the ball at her feet with great confidence. In the 38th minute her drive through the heart of the field nearly put Huitema through on goal, but the Cameroon defence cut out the through ball. The block ricocheted to the full back, but she was closed down before she could get a shot away.

Deanne Rose showed her pace and vision in the 41st minute, skipping past her full back and pulling back for Huitema on the penalty spot. The striker's attempt wasn't struck too well and the Cameroon goalkeeper wasn't too troubled.

Cameroon raced up the other end of the field to take the lead in the game. The counter attack down the right flank was initially well defended, and the ball fell to Claudia Dabda on the edge of the area. Her first shot was blocked by Kaela Hansen, but Dabda was able to collect the rebound and drive into the penalty area, her low shot just beating Zuchetto in the Canadian net.

Cameroon had another opportunity on the break just before the half-time whistle, but a combination of Emma Regan and Hannah Taylor crowded out the streaking Cameroonian winger. In spite of the stout defence in this instance, Cameroon went into the half-time break leading the game 2-1.

SECOND HALF:

Canada looked to start the second half on the front foot, again exploiting the pace and skill of Deanne Rose on the right flank, but the Cameroonian defence stood strong in the face of the Canadian attack.

The first chance of the half came for Cameroon in the 53rd minute when the ball fell at the feet of Djientieu on the edge of the area. She shaped to let a shot go, but Hansen was able to get back and put in a challenge to deflect the shot over the bar, giving up a corner that was defended with little trouble.

Substitute Mikayla Dayes was put through with a raking through ball in the 59th minute. She looked to have lost the race to the ball to Mimboe, the Cameroonian goalkeeper, but the clearance was kicked against the legs of the Canadian forward. The ball bounced fortunately for Cameroon, ending up with Dolores Tsadija who was able to clear it away.

Canada retained most of the possession, looking for balls behind the Cameroon defence for Rose and Hayes to run onto. There wasn't a lot of space to work with behind the defensive line and the goalkeeper was very alive to danger, sweeping up anything inside of her area.

Deanne Rose did brilliantly in the 72nd minute, latching on to a lofted through pass from Sarah Stratigakis and outworking the last defender, Zouwairatou to get a clean look at goal. Her shot to the bottom right corner was saved by Mimboe and gathered at the second attempt.

Cameroon left two players up the field for the second half as they looked to make sure the Canadians couldn't comfortably settle on the ball at any point. They did well to harry and hound the Canadian back-line throughout and made a few opportunities that were never fully capitalized on.

Canada won a penalty in the 75th minute, substitute Lauren Raimondo running onto a through ball at the top of the box. Mimboe came rushing out and was late to the ball, taking out the Canadian forward and earning a yellow card for her transgressions. The Canadian captain Stratigakis stepped up to take the spot kick and placed it coolly into the top right corner, tying the scores at 2-2.

The Canadian midfield combined well in the 82nd minute moving the ball quickly and concisely up through the centre of the field. The ball was nicked off the toes of the Kats, who was breaking into the area, and put out for a corner. Juila Grosso sent the ball in and it was met forcefully by Hannah Taylor, who did well to arc her neck around the curve of the ball and send a header on target. It wasn't dealt with by Mimboe and Canada re-took the lead in the game in the 83rd minute, the score sitting at 3-2.

Vital Kats and Lauren Raimondo had the Cameroon defence scared in the 93rd minute when Raimondo released Kats down the left flank. She was able to power her way around the defender and cut a pass back from the byline towards Raimondo, but the forward was crowded out by the goalkeeper and four defenders.

Canada were able to put on a solid rearguard display in the dying minutes, with Rose and Dayes doing their part to stretch the game and keep the ball away from the danger areas and they ran out winners on the night, beating Cameroon 3-2.

LINEUPS & NOTES:

Canada’s starting XI featured Marissa Zucchetto in goal, Emma Regan at right back, Hannah Taylor and Ashley Cathro at centre back, Julia Grosso at left back, and Sarah Stratigakis, Kaela Hansen, Anyssa Ibrahim, Deanne Rose, Jordyn Huitema, and Florence Laroche from the midfield up through to the attack.

In the second half, coach Bev Priestman replaced Ibrahim with Vital Kats (46'), Florence Laroche with Mikaela Dayes (59'), and Huitema with Lauren Raimondo (75').

Cameroon's starting XI featured Carole Mimboe in goal, Moussa Zouwairatou at right back,  Michele Moumazim and Eni Kuchambi at centre back, Dolores Tsadjia at left back, and Claudia Dabda, Viviane Mefire, Alice Djientieu, Rose Priso, Solie Djoubi, Elodie Metho in midfield through to attack.

In the second half, coach Birwe Minkreo replaced Priso with Linda Tchomte (71'), Dabda with Raissa Adama (85'), and Metho with Evanick Touta (90').