The FIFA Women’s World Cup kicked off in style yesterday with hosts Germany netting a 2-1 victory against Canada and France defeating Nigeria 1-0.
The opening fixtures produced two tight scorelines with no shortage of quality football - setting the standard high for the sixth FIFA WWC.
An impressive crowd of 73,680 people witnessed the holders and hosts edge out Canada at the Olympiastadion in Berlin, whilst 27,674 people travelled to Sinsheim to see France beat Nigeria earlier on in the day.
It was goals from Kerstin Garefrekes and Celia Okoyino Da Mbabi that secured the win for Germany in a game preceded by a glittering opening ceremony which displayed a spectacular crowd mosaic in the colours of the German flag.
Although the hosts dominated at the start, it was Canada who had the first real chance when Christine Sinclair received the ball inside the box but she could only take it over, missing the chance to secure the game’s opening goal.
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Germany soon hit back, but a superb one-handed save from Erin McLeod denied Garefrekes the opener. However, on ten minutes the Canadian was powerless to stop a shot from the midfielder who opened the host’s campaign with a header following a dangerous Babett Peter cross.
Germany continued to dominate, with their second goal coming just before half-time. A hopeful cross from Garefrekes was well received by Celia Okoyino Da Mbabi who brought the ball down her left thigh before rolling it past McLeod with her right foot.
Canada went some way to redeeming the score-line in the final moments when Sinclair curled a free-kick over the German wall and into the back of the net with eight minutes remaining.
But Germany, who had not, until last night, conceded a goal in a FIFA Women’s World Cup match, fought on and closed the game on top of the early standings.
Earlier on in the day, France were made to work for their win - with a competitive Nigeria piling on the pressure.
But it wasn’t enough to see off the Europeans as they opened their account after 56 minutes with a lone Marie-Laure Delie strike.
France started off the stronger side and the first genuine attempt on goal for Germany 2011 came just after the quarter-hour mark, as combative midfielder Elise Bussaglia gave a strong attempt from 25 metres.
The second half continued as largely a battle in midfield and both teams were made to work hard in the heat. The 1-0 end result was enough for France to secure their first victory since the group stage at USA 2003.
It was an unfortunate end for Nigeria who fought until the finish, but their loss takes their winless streak to eight games dating back to 1999.
They now face hosts Germany on Thursday where victory at Frankfurt will be needed to keep their World Cup dreams alive.
Jessica Whittington, Sportsister
The Women’s Sports Magazine
