Germany comes back to beat Canada 4-1

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Sunday, September 21, 2003

Germany comes back to beat Canada 4-1

European champions Germany came back from an early goal down to beat Canada 4-1 Saturday in a Group C match of the Women's World Cup in Columbus, Ohio.

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European champions Germany came back from an early goal down to beat Canada 4-1 Saturday in a Group C match of the Women's World Cup in Columbus, Ohio.

In the other Group C game, Japan trounced 10-woman Argentina 6-0 to take the top spot of the preliminary ground.

Canada got off to a quick start when Christine Sinclair headed in a free kick from Kristina Kiss with just four minutes into the game.

It was a big blow for the five-time European champions, but theGermans were lucky to be awarded the first penalty of the tournament when Charmaine Hooper handed the ball inside the penalty area. Germany's Bettina Wiegmann converted the penalty and level the game on 1-1 in the 39th minute.

Two minutes into the second half, Stefanie Gattschlich put Germany ahead when she headed in a bounce ball from Maren Meinert's cross in 63 minutes. The Europeans took complete control of thegame after the second goal before they pulled away with a third header in 75 minutes from Birgit Prinz.

Kerstin Garefrekes wrapped up the victory with an injury-time rocket for Germany.

In Japan's triumph over Argentina, forward Mio Otani became thefirst player to score a hat-trick in this World Cup.

Otani, who posted her first hat-trick in an international competition at the 2001 Asian Championships, scored in 72nd, 75th and 80th minutes when the Japanese had already dominated the game with a commanding 3-0 lead.

It was playmaker Homare Sawa who took Japan to a perfect start.The Atlanta Beat forward hit the target twice in the first half in13th and 38th minute respectively to set the tone of the game.

Seconds later, Natalia Gatti was sent off after a hard challenge on Tomoe Sakai as the first half came to a dramatic but disappointing end for the South Americans.

The other goal came from midfielder Emi Yamamoto in the 64th minute. Their efforts put Japan atop of the group over Germany bygoal difference.

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