Canada's top striker Christine Sinclair made a brace as Canada edging Ghana 4-0 on Saturday to keep their qualifying hopes alive.
Canada lost to group favorites Norway 2-1 in their first match, and the three points against Ghana are crucial for advancing to the knockout stage. Ghana now have merely theoretical hopes to qualify after two straight defeats.
"We came to play. If you watch carefully, we have to say other teams are far ahead. Now it's time for us to wake up and make improvement," said Ghana coach Isaac Paha.
"Ghana had more possession, they die well," said Canada boss Even Pellerud. Looking forward to the next clash against Australia, the Norwegian showed his confidence.
"We played an even game with Australia in the last meet. They are physical, technical and similar to us. But we will find way to deal with them, and not let their fast forwards play well."
Sinclair headed a Kara Lang right wing cross against the crossbar before the ball bouncing into the net in the 16th minute, and drilled home comfortably after Lang rounded the Ghanaian keeper Memunatu Sulemana and fed an unselfish cross in the 62th minute.
Midfielder Sophie Schmidt added another 10 minutes into the second period, before fullback Martina Franko took the last from a corner.
Ghana took more control on the ball in the first half, but seemed not to know how to break through the Canadian defence with reverse passes. The Canucks produced more threats with fine counter attacks. Kara Lang was live down the right flank, and made several good centers to the box.
Ghana had the best chance in the additional time, only to find Rumanatu Tahiru's close range shot smashing the bar before an empty net.
Canada piled on the pressure after the break and Ghana's defence suffered a lot. The Canadians continued their attacking till the dying minutes and finally got what they need.
Source: Xinhua
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