Germany beat Japan to win Algarve Cup

Faro (Portugal): Okoyino da Mbabi scored a hat-trick as Germany beat Japan 4-3 in the women`s soccer Algarve Cup final.

The German side opened scoring in the 20th minute when midfielder Dzsenifer Marozsan met a cross from left and drove a powerful shot past Japan`s goalkeeper Ayumi Kaihori, Xinhua reported. Two minutes later, Mbabi muscled in a header from a corner to help build up a 2-0 lead for Germany. Japan, whose talismanic figure Homare Sawa was sidelined due to cold, showed respectable resilience as they managed to equalise thanks to goals from Nahomi Kawasumi (35th minute) and Asuna Tanaka (55th minute). Mbabi put Germany ahead again in the 88th when she converted a penalty, and Japan responded immediately with a goal from Yuki Nagasoto one minute later. In injury time, Mabai completed her hat-trick with an unstoppable shot to finish the thrilling match. IANS