Martina Voss-Tecklenburg 2022Getty

'The referees were not at their best' - Germany coach Voss-Tecklenburg bemoans officiating in Arnold Clark Cup defeat to Canada

Germany head coach Martin Voss-Tecklenburg wasn't impressed with the officiating in her side's 1-0 defeat to Canada on Sunday, with two penalty shouts for the eight-time European champions waved away in their second game of the Arnold Clark Cup.

Canada, Olympic gold medallists last summer, took the lead early on through Vanessa Gilles but the defender - named Player of the Match - was also at the centre of controversy in two possible penalty incidents.

The victors also had reason to feel aggrieved, with a potential red card incident involving Germany goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger.

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What has been said?

Speaking after the game, Voss-Tecklenburg said: "We wanted to be more aggressive. Obviously, we still have a few things to learn there and things don't come automatically.

"Earlier today, I had a conversation with [captain] Sara Daebritz, where I asked her where we should have the priorities now. We agreed that it was exactly that, we want to be more dominant. We have to work more on the tactics.

"But the thing was that we did allow mistakes tonight. However, on both sides, the referees did not show their best tonight."

What happened?

After giving Canada the lead, Germany players were shouting for a penalty at Gilles' expense midway through the first half. Winger Jule Brand cut the ball back to Lina Magull, who struck it goalwards first time, with it appearing to strike the hand of the Canada defender when she blocked it. The referee, however, did not point to the spot.

Canada were calling for intervention from the officials shortly after half time too, with Quinn playing a superb through ball for Nichelle Prince to run onto, only for goalkeeper Berger to bring her down outside the box as she bared down on goal. Again, the referee did not blow her whistle.

The final moment of controversy on the night came at the other end. With Germany pushing for an equaliser, Berger sent a long ball forward which Gilles got her head to. However, having not made the contact she wanted, Giulia Gwinn was in a position to burst into the box with the ball - until she went down under a challenge from the defender. Germany's appeals were once again waved away.

Who will win the 2022 Arnold Clark Cup?

Canada's win on Sunday night was the first for any side in the Arnold Clark Cup so far, after four games. After drawing with England in their opener, it means that the Olympic champions are top of the group going into the final matchday.

They will face Spain on Wednesday, knowing a draw would see them win the inaugural edition of the tournament. England will face Germany later that same day, having drawn their second game in a row earlier on Sunday in a 0-0 result against the Spaniards.

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