One of the most intriguing round of 16 fixtures lined up this week in the FIFA Women's World Cup as China and Cameroon clash - two teams few predicted would make it out of their respective groups.
China came into the tournament on a shocking run of 10 games without a win, a run stretching back to mid-December and consisting of poor results against the likes of Portugal, Mexico and Argentina - two of whom didn't even make it to Canada.
Cameroon, on the other hand, were extremely unknown. Due to the low profile of women's football, it would not be a massive shock if their Group C opponents struggled to get a hold of footage of them playing, which could perhaps be a factor in why they have turned out to be one of the World Cup's surprise packages.
However, whilst both were underdogs in the group stages, that status will somewhat disappear now they have made it to the knockout round, especially since they are not coming up against a favourite in the last 16, but instead a equally-determined and confident opponent who will give everything to reach a dream quarter-final.
Group Stage Performances
China progressed in second place from Group A, finishing behind Canada. They were unfortunate to lose to the hosts in the World Cup opener too, a soft stoppage time penalty, that was converted by Christine Sinclair, the only thing that prevented them from taking a point.
Disappointed they may have been, but a wonderful performance against a surprisingly poor Netherlands side in game number two gave them a well earned victory, even if it came via a very late goal. They bombarded the Dutch goal, with goalkeeper Loes Geurts having an incredible game, but whilst she did not deserve to be beaten, China deserved to win after such a positive display.
A spirited 2-2 draw with New Zealand in their final group game was then enough to see them clinch second place, and a spot in the last 16.
As for Cameroon, they quickly asserted themselves in Canada with a marvellous 6-0 victory over Ecuador in the first game. Their pace and attacking prowess in this game was incredible, and so the result was of little surprise based on the performance, but prior to kick-off few expected such confidence in the team.
A narrow 2-1 defeat to Japan saw them put the World Champions to the test, whilst their victory over Switzerland was perhaps one people grew to expect after the Swiss' underwhelming displays this summer, despite them boasting some of Europe's best players.
Both teams showed their attacking firepower in the group stages, thus their meeting in the knockout round is almost going to be a game in which fire fights fire, with plenty of action promised as a result. Neither side have been incredibly poor at the back, but they haven't all that convincing, especially China who tend to knock the ball around far too much in their own half given the lack of technical ability in the majority of their defenders.
Cameroon's communication, decision making and hesitation will be their downfalls defensively, with them needing to improve massively and ensure they are well organised to prevent China picking them apart. Overall, both defend well in numbers though, their high team spirit meaning players always track back and crowd out their opponents, even if it is not always convincing.
Key Players
Two players in particular for China who stood out in the group stages were Tang Jiali and Wang Lisi. The former was immaculate as her side beat the Netherlands, with all of her side's attacking play going through her as they put the Dutch under immense pressure. With great agility, tricky feet and the ability to send a great delivery into the area, as well as have a pop at goal, she is one of China's most positive attackers, boasting high confidence too that allows her to perform this well.
Wang, on the other hand, is a creative midfielder who has an eye for goal. Scorer of China's winner against the Netherlands and one of their two against New Zealand, coolly converting from the spot, she almost had three goals in three games, but her marvellous free-kick against Canada smacked the upright. She is another confident player going forward and the one who really makes China tick, pulling all the strings.
Cameroon's main threat, on the contrary, comes from Gabrielle Onguene. With pace to burn, the ability to leave defenders for dead and the composure to put chances away, she has been a nightmare for opponents to defend against this summer and has turned plenty of heads as a result. It will be a huge shock if she does not secure a move away from her home land, where she currently plays her club football, after the tournament.
Gaelle Enganamouit is another of the African nation's huge attacking threats, a deadly striker with a clinical finish who already has a hat-trick to her name this summer. She is strong, able to make things happen and a threat with the ball both on and off the deck, meaning defenders struggle to cope with her presence and contain her. Her pace is another big strength too, with China likely to have to play a much deeper back line to ensure they are not exposed by the speed of Cameroon.
At the opposite ends of the pitch though, these two teams boast marvellous goalkeepers too, even if they are behind questionable defences. Annette Ngo Ndom is Cameroon's very composed number one, who has great reflexes and a good track record when it comes to penalties, which could be called upon in the knockout round.
China's Wang Fei, on the other hand, is vastly experienced and plays in arguably the best league in the world, the Frauen-Bundesliga, with Turbine Potsdam. She makes good decisions, is quick off her line and a brilliant shot-stopper.
Whilst a high scoring game will be expected in an encounter containing two teams who are so lively going forward, each goalkeeper is likely to make a great number of saves in the game given their proven quality. Both will take some beating, meaning we should expect high quality goals this weekend.
Prediction
This is such a hard game to predict given that both teams are going to be desperate to take the unlikely chance to reach the last eight, and will give it their all until the very end.
Extra time would be a real possibility, however, which attacking intent in both sides, viewers can expect plenty of goal-mouth action, as both teams really go for the win in an exciting match up.
China, as aforementioned, should play a much deeper back line, which could invite more pressure from Cameroon and make them the team more likely to dictate play, due to their counter-attacking possibilities likely to be reduced. However, China should see plenty of the ball too given their great ability on it and how well they keep possession.
This will make it such an even game, as will the fact that each team are so similar in their strengths and weaknesses and are likely to cancel each other out most of the time. China however, do have the quality to progress. They are more intelligent on the ball and are more experienced, a crucial factor when playing on a world stage.
They are unlikely to let the occasion get to them and will stay focused on the task at hand. Cameroon, however, will struggle to cope with their first taste of a World Cup knockout game, and could crumble under pressure, with quality of their decision-making suffering as a result of high adrenalin.
A marvellous match is expected, with a 2-1 or 3-2 victory for China, with extra time a high possibility.