Match German power against Mexican enterprise, and power wins out most time times. Yesterday, Germany opened their 2010 FIFA Under-17 Women's World Cup campaign in impressive fashion when whipping CONCACAF runners-up Mexico 9-0 at the Dwight Yorke Stadium, Bacolet, Tobago.

The game was over almost as soon as it begun, the Germans taking a three-goal lead after quarter hour and a 5-0 lead at the half. So overwhelming was their dominance that by the half Germany had 61 percent possession, and 16 shots, compared to one from the Mexicans.

For the Germans, strikers Kyra Malonowski and Lena Petermann each got a hat-trick, while their most potent weapon, left-midfielder Lena Lotzen, scored twice. Central defender Kristin Demann also ventured forward to score as well.

Germany missed scoring from their first attack when Malonowski headed wide a cross from right-midfielder Sarah Romert. But, they could not stop scoring afterwards.

The Germans were most dangerous on the left through Lotzen, who set up most of their goals with her crosses. And it was Lotzen who opened the scoring in the fourth minute after leaving the right-back, cutting in, and putting the Germans ahead with a low shot which beat the Mexican keeper Rosa Merida at the near post. Mexican right-back Amber Hernandez then almost conceded an own goal when trying to cut out another cross, her keeper coming to her rescue in the 10th minute. But, even in the early stages, the Germans were too big, and too quick for the Mexicans, who wilted under powerfully hot sunshine.

Lena Petermann put Germany up 2-0 in the 12th minute, taking a pass in the box from Romert, and sliding the ball to the far post. And Petermann made it 3-0 in the 13th, lashing a shot into the roof from close up. It was all Germany at this stage, the smaller Mexicans unable to cope with the power and speed of the Europeans. The Germans were simply out-pacing the Mexican right-back, and after 27 minutes coach Saul Resendiz made a double change to try and stem the damage.

Not many Tobagonians turned up at the Dwight Yorke Stadium for the Group B action, but those who did had a feast. After seemingly settling down, Mexico were down another goal in the 35th when Lotzen beat the keeper with a low shot from the top of the penalty area to take the Germans into a 4-0 lead.

Andrea Sanchez, probably the most gifted player on the field, was fighting a lone battle for Mexico, but always found one German too many in her way. And it was 5-0 in the 42nd minute, Malonowski burying a low shot past the despairing dive of the goalie.

There were four more goals in the second half, the Germans completing the rout one short of double figures.

LATEST: South Korea beat South Africa 3-1 at the Dwight Yorke Stadium, in Bacolet, Tobago, late yesterday. Full story in tomorrow's Express.