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Germany brush Canadians aside

Germany 4-1 Canada Germany recover from a slow start before registering a comfortable friendly win.

Germany 4-1 Canada

Strong finish
The 2002 FIFA World Cup runners-up struggled in the first half against opponents ranked 77th in the world, but stepped up a gear after the break to boost their morale for Saturday's game in Glasgow.

Ramelow equaliser
Striker Kevin McKenna gave Canada the lead with a header from a free-kick in the 20th minute, but Bayer 04 Leverkusen midfield player Carsten Ramelow collected a headed pass from Fredi Bobic to put Germany level with an angled volley from eight metres out four minutes from the break.

Result settled
Germany coach Rudi Völler made four substitutions at half-time and it paid off, the three-times world and European champions looking more aggressive in the second half. Substitute midfield player Paul Freier raced into the box to put them ahead in the 53rd minute and Bobic then put the issue beyond doubt from close range in the 61st.

Rau goal
Defender Tobias Rau, who played for VfL Wolfsburg this season but will now move on to FC Bayern München, delighted the home fans by wrapping it up with a low drive from the edge of the box a few seconds into added time.

Positive outcome
"In the first 45 minutes the Canadians were still fresh and were very clever tactically," Völler said. "We had our problems but I liked our reaction in the second half. Overall this gives us courage for the Scotland game."

Bayern duo back
Völler had to make do without players who played in Bayern's 3-1 German Cup final win over 1. FC Kaiserslautern on Saturday. Goalkeeper Oliver Kahn and playmaker Michael Ballack of Bayern were missing, as was Kaiserslautern striker Miroslav Klose. All three will be back for the game against Scotland which Völler has described as the most important game of the year for Germany.

Going well
Germany are level on seven points with Scotland and Lithuania at the top of Group Five, but are well placed to make next year's finals in Portugal having played three games compared to Scotland's four and Lithuania's five.

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