HANGZHOU, China -- Australia finally notched its first win

in a Women's World Cup, beating Ghana 4-1 Wednesday in a Group C

matchup.

Australia, winless in the previous three tournaments, had a

strong performance against the Africans on two goals by Lisa De

Vanna and one each by Sarah Walsh and Heather Garriock.

Australia took the lead in the 14th minute, when Ghana failed to

clear its defensive line and Walsh scored on a left-foot shot.

Anita Amankwa had two tying chances in the first half, but

couldn't convert on either. In the 20th minute she rounded a

stranded goalkeeper but misplayed her shot toward an open net. When

presented with a similar opportunity in the 33rd, she took one too

many touches in trying to round the keeper and was stripped of the

ball.

De Vanna came on in the second half and the move quickly paid

off. She hit the bar with her first opportunity and then made it

2-0 when she knocked home Walsh's cross in the 57th minute.

Garriock knocked in a header in the 69th to stretch Australia's

advantage to 3-0.

Moments later, Ghana narrowed the deficit as Amankwa collected a

throughball, stepped inside a defender and calmly placed her shot

past the keeper.

In the 81st Garriock's throughball prompted Ghana goalkeeper

Memunatu Sulemana to rush up the pitch, but when she failed to

reach the ball, De Vanna knocked it into the open net.

Australia faces Norway on Saturday, and Ghana takes on Canada.