World Cup: Group C Preview

Average Group Ranking: 31

Average Group Ranking: 31

Barring a calamity of epic proportions, progression to the knock out stage, let's face topping the group, is all but a formality for defending world champions Japan. The clamour behind them will be for the second automatic spot with Switzerland heading that race followed by fellow debutantes Cameroon and Ecuador.

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Japan

Coach: Norio Sasaki

Ranking: 4

Previous World Cups: 1991 (Group), 1995 (QF), 1999 (Group), 2003 (Group), 2007 (Group), 2011 (1st)

Last 5 matches: W (ITA), W (NZL), W (JPN), L (FRA), W (POR)

Players to watch: Yuki Ogimi (FW), Aya Miyama (MF), Saki Kumagai (DF), Nahomi Kawasumi (MF)

The past four years in Japanese women's football has been transformative. From als0-rans in the lead up to Germany 2011 Nadeshiko has become one of the true football powers at all levels.

As well as the World Cup in 2011, Japan have also capture an Olympic silver medal (2012) and a maiden Asian Cup title (2014).

Four years on from their triumph in Frankfurt, there is a feeling of the "same but different" around the Japanese with many players retained from the Germany 2011 campaign. Subtle changes include Aya Miyama taking up the reins as captain while Yuki Ogimi, Saki Kumagai and Nahomi Kawasumi have become the faces of the team.

Japan have been the recipients of a favourable draw with a group win seeing them move to the top half of the draw resulting in a relatively clear run the final.

While back-to-back titles are a tough ask, with a good draw and Norio Sasaki at the helm, don't be too surprised to see Nadeshiko in the decider or once again lifting the trophy.

Graphic Credit: espnW

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Switzerland

Coach: Martina Voss-Tecklenburg

Ranking: 19

Last 5 matches: L (GER), W (SWE), L (BRA), D (NOR), L (USA)

Key Players: Lara Dickenmann (FW), Caroline Abbé (DF), Ramona Bachmann (FW), Fabienne Humm (MF)

Although debutantes, Switzerland enter the World Cup with expectations of progressing beyond the group stage. If their lead up form is anything to go by, it is a more than achieveable goal.

Switzerland will be one of the more attacking sides at Canada 2015 with the likes of Lara Dickenmann, Ana-Maria Crnogorcevic and Ramona Bachmann all working in that goal laden front third. Defensively La Nati should have the wherewithal to blunt the attacks of Cameroon and Ecuador and the Swiss would fancy their chances in the race for Group B's second place.

It remains to be seen whether all that is enough for a deep run at Canada 2015.

Graphic Credit: espnW

Cameroon

Coach: Ngachu Enow

Ranking: 53

Last 5 matches: W (CIV), W (ETH), W (ETH), L (NGA), W (CIV)

Key Players: Gaëlle Enganamouit (FW), Christine Manie (DF), Raissa Feudjio (MF), Madeleine Ngono (FW)

In qualifying for the London 2012 Olympics and Canada 2015, Cameroon has established themselves in the African hierarchy displacing the likes of Ghana and South Africa.

On the back of that Olympic experience, which ended with no goals and no points, coach Ngachu Enow hopes the tournament experience will hold them in good stead. Experience is something Cameroon is short on as a whole and the Africans are short on match play in particular. At continental level Cameroon are a steady side; they won't score heavily but also won't concede all that much.

If they can translate this onto the international stage, it will give them a shot at third place in the group and a coveted knock out stage position.

Graphic Credit: espnW

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Ecuador

Coach: Vanessa Arauz

Ranking: 48

Last 5 matches: L (COL), L (COL), L (MEX), L (MEX), W (TRI)

Key Players: Monica Quinteros (FW), Nancy Aguilar (DF), Ámbar Torres (FW)

Led by 26-year-old coach Vanessa Arauz, the youngest ever coach at a World Cup (men's or women's), Ecuador were the last team to qualify for Canada 2015.

For the South Americans, being at the tournament is an achievement in of itself. However, if they are to make any significant headways, they will require a marked improvement from their recent form.