Defending champion Germany kicked off their hunt for an unprecedented third straight women’s World Cup with a nervous 2-1 win over group rivals Canada on Sunday on the opening day of the tournament.
First half goals from Kerstin Garefrekes and Okoyino da Mbabi put the hosts ahead before Canada captain Christine Sinclair cut the deficit late in the game with a well-struck free-kick.
In front of a sold-out 73680 crowd and with German President Christian Wullf, Chancellor Angela Merkel and FIFA President Sepp Blatter in the stands of the Olympic stadium, Germany, who won the 2007 title without conceding a goal, were initially on the back foot.
Canada, one of the tournament’s dark horses, tried to sucker-punch them with quick attacks early on but unmarked Sinclair missed a gilt-edged chance on six minutes, firing wide from 12 metres.
Germany, who won the 2003 and 2007 tournaments, struck after 12 minutes with Garefrekes, who seconds earlier had failed to score form close range, rising above her marker to head in a Babett Peter cross at the far post and wrong-foot keeper Erin McLeod.
McLeod was kept busy throughout, doing well to snatch the ball off Germany captain Birgit Prinz as the 33-year-old was about to tap in.
But McLeod stayed far too long on her line when Okoyino da Mbabi raced clear, giving the striker enough time to to slot in three minutes before the break.
Canada found no way forward in the second half and needed a a 22-metre curled free-kick from Sinclair to pull one back on 82 minutes as Germany held on for victory.
In the only other game on Sunday, France beat Nigeria 1-0 in Group A.
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