BRIDGETOWN, Barbados - The Argentine women's team started the defence of the Pan American Cup title with a 4-1 victory over Canada, on Wednesday night at the Sir Garfield Sobers Sports Complex here.

Two goals by Luciana Aymar and Magdalena Aicega and Soledad García netting the others gave the national side a deserved win.

However, Argentina had to struggle to beat the North American side, as they opposed tough marking, specially over outstanding Aymar, who could not break through Canada's back row with her usual skill.

Argentina had problems to reach the circle clearly as they tried to do it individually and not as a team. However, the South American side opened the score from a fixed play - in the 16th minute - through captain Magdalena Aicega by a powerful corner shot.

Argentina reacted after the goal gaining midfield control, though their attacks were not clear.

Thus, the world champions netted the second goal, in the 38th minute, by Aymar who capitalized on a corner rebound.

Canada reacted producing some good advances, which were well saved by the Argentine back row.

The South American side found their way in the last 10 minutes of the match, netting twice in one minute after two wonderful solo plays by Soledad García and Aymar, who scored in the 61st and 62nd minutes respectively.

Canada continued struggling to net from a fast counter-attack through Kristal Timmer, in the 65th minute. But Argentina were in control until the end to take their first valuable three points.

On Thursday Argentina will clash against Chile, at 8pm local time.

Argentina: Vukojicic; Ferrari, Burkart, Aicega, Margalot; González Oliva, Stepnik, Aymar; Gulla, García and Arrondo. Also played: Russo, Doreski, Hernández, Rodríguez and Di Giácomo. Coach: Sergio Vigil.

Canada: Forbes; Mac Lean, Hunt, D'Abreo, Rushton; Jameson, Rezansoff, Tauton, Cuthbert; Leslie and Magnus. Also played: Hume, Simpson, Johnstone and Timmer. Coach: Kimo Linders.

Umpires: Heather Smith (England) and Renate Peters (Germany).

Booking - Yellow card: 54m, Johnstone (C). Green: 60m, Burkart (A); 68m, Cuthbert (C).

First Set for Chile

Chile demolished Netherlands Antilles 6-0 in the first match of the afternoon.

In spite of an early goal by Javiera Villagra, in the ninth minute, the Chilean team showed inaccurate play. But they reacted in the last three minutes of the first half to net twice through Valentina Martn (32nd minute) from a corner shot and Denise Infante, one minute before half-time.

Though the Netherlands Antilles pressed hard after the break, the Chilean squad took control again scoring three more through Villagra again, in the 54th minute, and Carolina García, in the 60th and 66th minute.

Netherlands Antilles: Hartmans van de Rijdt; Kokkeler, Gonesh, Dumas, Muys; Mellena, van den Barselaar, Mulder; Visser, Wellens and van Asma. Also played: van Bisbergen, Dennert-Kleijn, Thies and Hanstede. Coach: Patrick van Bergen.

Chile: Abud; Thiermann, Martín, Wenz, Debesa; P. Infante, Walbaun, Villagra; Wilson, García and Daniela Infante. Also played: Fernández, Matus, Albertz, Denise Infante and C. Infante. Coach: Luis Ciancia.

Umpires: Lisa Marcano (Trinidad & Tobago) and Jun Kentwell (United States).

Booking - Green: 38m, Mulder (NA) and 46m, Dennert-Kleijn (NA).