BERLIN: Hosts and defending champion Germany got its women's World Cup campaign off to a flying start Sunday as it beat Group A rival Canada 2-1 at Berlin's Olympic Stadium. Having won both the 2003 and 2007 editions, Germany is bidding to complete a hat trick of titles on home soil and had few problems against the Canadians, who threatened the German goal on only rare occasions. First-half goals by midfielders Kerstin Garefrekes and Celia Okoyino da Mbabi put the hosts in control before Canada captain Christine Sinclair slotted home a late free-kick for the guests. The win puts the Germans top of Group A after France's earlier 1-0 win over Nigeria. With Germany having gone through the entire 2007 campaign without conceding a goal, Sinclair became the first player to score against it at a World Cup since Sweden's Hanna Ljungberg in the Germans' 2-1 win in the 2003 final. – Agence France
