by Sylvain Jamet in Moncton

Match day 2 has delivered its verdict in Group C and D.

Japan, the holders, are through to the last 16 round while Switzerland hammered Ecuador and Group D lived up to its pre-tournament ,group of deat,h tag.

Group C

Japan 2 Cameroon 1 Sameshima, Sugasawa; Nchout

Switzerland 10 Ecuador 1 OGx2, Aigbogun, Hummx3, Bachmann x3, Moser; Ponce

Japan are the first team in the competition through to the second round. Switzerland and Cameroon will fight for the second place in the group on final day. Japan are likely to rotate their squad against Ecuador.

Fabienne Humm’s six minutes hat-trick for Switzerland was the quickest ever in any World Cup, male or female. The poor Ecuadorian defender, Ponce, also scored three goals in the game as she scored her country’s first ever World Cup goal and also two own goals.

Group D

Australia 2 Nigeria 0 Simon x2

USA 0 Sweden 0

The so-called Group Of Death is leaving up to its name tag as all four teams will go into final day with a qualifying chance! Australia got three precious points with their win against Nigeria while the battle of the giants between the USA and Sweden yielded a scoreless draw.

Final day will see top of the table USA with four points meet a very pacy Nigeria currently bottom with a point. Australia with three points will meet Sweden currently with two points and in danger of going home early despite being ranked fifth by FIFA.

Note on qualifying methods as there are 24 teams in the competition.

The teams finishing first and second in each group will automatically go through to the Round of 16. They will be joined by the four best third-placed teams.

The standings in each group are calculated as follows:

1. Number of points obtained in all group matches;
2. Goal difference in all group matches;
3. Goals scored in all group matches.

The four best third-placed teams will be determined as follows:

1. Points obtained in all group matches;
2. Goal difference in all group matches;
3. Goals scored in all group matches;
4. Drawing of lots by the FIFA Organising Committee.