Columbus, OH (My Sportsbook) - Birgit Prinz netted a goal-double as Germany dismissed a more diminutive Japan side 3-0 in Group C Women's World Cup action at Crew Stadium Wednesday night.

Sandra Minnert tallied the third goal of the evening for the Germans, who leap- frogged Japan at the top of the table on six points.

Germany, on the strength of its 4-1 victory over Canada at the weekend, has all but booked a place in the last eight with its final first-round clash against Cup minnow Argentina -- the recipient of a 6-0 pasting by Japan -- on the docket Saturday.

Japan will have to wait out the remainder of the round to learn their fate, but could be helped with a win over Canada this coming weekend.

Despite a valiant effort by Japan, the stronger, taller and more experienced Germans had their way for most of time.

In the 49th minute, Maren Meinert, who was on the front end of Prinz' 36th- minute finish, nearly grabbed one of her own, slamming a header off the woodwork after gaining the space in front of Japanese 'keeper Nozomi Yamago.

Prinz then sent home her second of the match when she took advantage of a Japanese fumble in the back, racing in to finish perfectly past Yamago for the Europeans' third netter of the night in the 66th minute.

The goal gave Prinz a hat-trick for the Cup, and put Germany in the driver's seat for the remainder of the game.

Japan was nearly gifted a goal in the 21st minute when Silke Rottenberg juggled the ball on a corner, giving the Germans a nervous moment.

But the Europeans got their chances right away at the opposite end when Kerstin Garefrekes' header careened off the post. She then collected the rebound to turn on net again, only for to Yamago to save perfectly.

The Germans finally powered their way to the lead when Minnert grabbed a goal on a smashing half-volley from the edge of the area after Meinert turned in a header off the woodwork in the 24th minute.

It was Minnert's 10th international goal in her 100th appearance for Germany.

The goal was a shot in the arm for the Germans, who sent wave after wave of attack at the Japanese defender.

Prinz, arguably one of the most feared strikers in the women's game, gave Germany a two-goal cushion in the 36th minute when the Japanese defense gave the ball away for Meinert to feed her for a well-placed finish.

Prinz went close again in the 43rd minute with an attempt from the fringe of the area as the sizeable frontrunner gave the Japanese defense fits.

Germany showed their physical superiority from the outset, banging around the smaller Japanese players in the middle of the pitch.

But Japan didn't drop their heads, holding firm as the five-time champions of Europe looked to penetrate.

On 10 minutes, Renate Lingor looked to shoot Germany ahead, but Yamago made a hero's save to keep Japan safe for the time being.

Two minutes later, Maren Meinert tried her luck when she just flashed a header wide of Yamago.

Prinz had an early look in the 15th minute, racing in and going close on Yamago. But Japan fail to crack and are holding their own against the more physical Germans.

MATCH NOTES: Germany earned silver-medal honors at the 1995 World Cup (second only to Norway). Japan's Homare Sawa is the only player of the current Japanese team who participated at Sweden 1995.