The United States and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea
progressed to the quarterfinals of the women's World Cup yesterday,
completing half the line-up of the final eight.
The US will play England and North Korea will meet defending
champion Germany in the quarterfinals on Saturday, with the
remaining four quarterfinalists to be decided in matches today and
tomorrow.
Sweden's Victoria Svensson
(right) and North Korea's Kong Hye Ok tussle for the ball during
their Women's World Cup Group B match in Tianjin yesterday. The
Swedes won 2-1 but it was the Koreans who advanced.
The US topped Group B with a 1-0 win over Nigeria in wet
conditions in Shanghai, just hours before the anticipated onset of
a powerful typhoon.
North Korea lost 1-2 to Sweden, leaving both teams level on
points, but the Koreans finished runner-up in Group B by virtue of
goal difference, eliminating the 2003 World Cup finalist.
Lori Chalupny put the US ahead after just 55 seconds against
Nigeria to set up a result that extended its unbeaten streak to 50
games.
Off a long throw-in, Abby Wambach headed a ball to Chalupny, who
controlled it off her chest and then chipped a close-in
right-footed shot that deflected off a Nigerian player behind
keeper Precious Dede.
The US was the stronger team in the first half but Nigeria
pushed harder in search of an equalizer in the second period.
In the 85th minute, Nigeria almost broke through with American
keeper Hope Solo coming up with a point-blank save from Rita
Chikwelu.
It was a creditable performance by the African champion
considering the pre-game drama.
Nigeria players refused to practice for several days in a
dispute with the Nigeria Football Association over pay and bonus
money. The matter was settled on the eve of the match.
In Tianjin, North Korea limited its loss to one goal to
advance.
Sweden needed to win by a margin of three goals or more to reach
the last eight.
Charlotta Schelin scored both goals for the Swedes. Her opener
came in the fourth minute when she used her height to head home a
cross.
North Korea equalized in the 22nd from a well-worked freekick.
The Koreans took the kick quickly with a short pass to Ri Un-suk,
who took a few steps then launched a long-range shot into the top
right corner of the net.
Sweden lost striker Hanna Ljungberg to injury in the first half,
but still went ahead in the 54th minute as Schelin burst between
two defenders and slotted home.
Sweden threw players forward in the last 30 minutes in search of
more goals and that quarterfinal berth, but could find no way past
a well-organized Korean defense.
Typhoon Wipha, expected to be the worst to hit Shanghai in a
decade, was on track to make landfall just hours after the match,
bringing with it 300 kph winds. The storm forced FIFA, the world
governing body of soccer, to reschedule two matches.
In today's matches, Australia and Canada will play to decide
which of the two progresses from Group C, and host China will be
looking for a win against New Zealand in Group D to shore up its
quarterfinal ambitions.
(Shanghai Daily via Agencies September 19, 2007)
