WINNIPEG, Manitoba — The United States brought the Women's World Cup to life Monday as it rose to the top of the ‘Group of Death' with a 3-1 win over Australia in front of a raucous crowd. A day after the Ivory Coast was humiliated 10-0 by Germany, Nigeria and Cameroon restored African pride while Japan opened the defense of its title in Vancouver with a 1-0 win over Switzerland courtesy of a 29th minute strike from Aya Miyama. Cameroon, which was making its first World Cup appearance, looked right at home on soccer's biggest stage as Gaelle Enganamouit score a hat trick to lead the 53rd ranked Les Lionnes to a 6-0 victory over South American debutant Ecuador. Nigeria and Sweden, who have appeared in all seven women's World Cups, experienced some first up jitters in Winnipeg with Francisca Ordega grabbing a late equalizer for the Africans to earn a 3-3 draw in the so called ‘Group of Death'. No nation will face a tougher road to the final than those in Group D, which features three teams ranked in the top 10, the US (2), Sweden (5), Australia (10) and the 33rd-ranked Nigerians, who are the top African nation. The first appearance by the US created an electric atmosphere as fans flooded across the border, filling Winnipeg Stadium with a boisterous red, white and blue flag-waving crowd. The American Outlaws, a US supporters group, turned the north grandstand into a swath of red, white and blue with chants of “USA, USA” echoing through the stadium from the moment the players appeared from the tunnel. With US based in Winnipeg, American supporters have taken over the downtown area with groups filling restaurants bringing a lively buzz to the tournament that has been lacking in some of the other five venues. “A couple of players, I heard them as they were taking the pitch for warm-ups say, ‘it's like we're playing at home',” said US coach Jill Ellis. “It was tremendous, they were behind us, the Outlaws were there and friends and family but there were fans, just fans of soccer it was great to have that kind of noise and support.” The US did its part as it extended its unbeaten run over the Matildas to 25 games as Megan Rapinoe scored twice and keeper Hope Solo produced some dazzling early saves. The victory set up an intriguing showdown with former coach Pia Sundhage's Swedish side Friday. Sundhage had spent five years with the US team, leading it to two Olympic gold medals and a runner-up finish in the 2011 World Cup, before she returned to coach her native Sweden. — Reuters
