TIANJIN // Canada wore down Argentina to win their debut Olympic match 2-1, scoring a goal in each half and using a significant size advantage to subdue the South Americans. Coming out of her central defensive position, Candace Chapman put Canada ahead in the 27th minute. She ran onto a corner that was deflected more than 30 yards from goal and struck a right-footed volley that skipped inside the left post. Kara Lang added the second in the 72nd minute, heading home Rhian Wilkinson's free kick. Argentina applied some late pressure and pulled a goal back in the 85th minute. Mariela Coronel skipped past Wilkinson and played a ball into the path of second-half substitute Ludmila Manicler, who volleyed home from 10 yards. After a sloppy first 30 minutes, Canada finally took control of the game after Chapman's goal. The victory gives Canada momentum for their next two Group E matches, against hosts China on Saturday and European Championship semi-finalists Sweden on Tuesday. The goal for Argentina, also making their Olympic debut, was their first in four matches. The South Americans produced the first scoring opportunity in the ninth minute when Mercedes Pereyra struck a curling right-footed shot from corner of the penalty area that the Canada goalkeeper Erin McLeod had to palm away with her left hand at the opposite post. But the Canadians slowly gained control, producing their first corner six minutes later and a header by Melissa Tancredi, which went over the bar. The smaller Argentines were easily knocked off the ball, which sometimes resulted in mistakes in their own half and Canadian chances. When Argentina were able to counterattack, such as when Pereyra was able to run clear down the left-hand side in the 38th minute, five Canadian defenders were able to recover and get behind the ball to prevent a shot. With temperatures around 27°C and humidity in the 60 per cent range, players frequently needed to come to the bench for water. The Canadians nearly added a third goal in the 77th minute when Jodi-Ann Robinson was able touch the ball past the Argentina goalkeeper Vanina Correa, but Maria Quinones was able to clear the ball off the line.
*AP
