A win over Thailand in the early hours of Saturday morning saw the Indomitable Lionesses of Cameroon progress in the FIFAWWC playoff in Auckland, New Zealand.
Substitute Gabrielle Onguene was the difference for the Lionesses, as she came off the bench in the second half to put two quick fire goals past Thailand, which saw her team progress to the final round of the playoff.
Cameroon began the match on the back foot but eventually took control as two good chances went begging for the West African side. First, it was Charlene Meyong who curled a right-footed effort against the the bar, after which Jeannette Yango’s shot narrowly missed the target early on in the second period.
Thailand increasingly struggled to get out of their own half in the second half as Cameroon pressed for the opener. However, on one occasion where they managed to make it out on the hour mark, captain Nipawan Panyosuk crashed a freekick against the side netting in what was a close shave for Cameroon and the closest the Thais came to scoring.
However, the Indomitable Lionesses looked more menacing whenever they attacked. Their effort eventually paid off when veteran, Onguene came off the bench and instantly changed the game with two quick fire goals in what was a player of the match performance.
First, a brilliant piece of play by Ajara Nchout left her with an option for a pass across the six yard box, which she took, and Onguene was on hand to tap into an empty net. A few minutes later, Onguene received a pass on the left side of attack, left her marker for dead and drilled an effort into the far corner to make the game more comfortable for the West Africans.
Although the Cameroon won and will progress in the FIFAWWC playoff, the game wasn’t without some drama.
Deep into the eight minutes of added time, Cameroon goalkeeper, Ange Bawou saw red for a dangerous challenge following VAR review. Tatiana Ewodo Ekogo was then forced to take over in goal with the Lionesses having exhausted the required number of substitutes. The game eventually went on into 24 minutes of added time but Cameroon held on for a deserved and spirited 2-0 win.
It is the first time Cameroon will defeat an Asian opponent, having lost in their three previous meetings against them. This result also makes it eight clean sheets for the Lionesses in their last 13 matches.
Having lost the automatic FIFAWWC qualification ticket to Nigeria in the 2022 WAFCON tournament, Cameroon will now have to go past Portugal on Wednesday, 22nd of February, to pick up one of the final three 2023 FIFAWWC slots.
