Posted September. 26, 2003 23:26,
North Koreans are also on the verge of being dropped out of 2003 Women`s World Cup. Asian champion North Korea sustained an unexpected 0-1 loss in a crucial match with Sweden at Philadelphia`s Lincoln Financial Field on Thursday 25 September.
With one win and one loss, the Asians will face the 1st-ranking U.S. in the third match. Like their compatriots from the South, they now have slim chances to advance to quarterfinals.
The Group A has been considered a fierce battleground in this year`s World Cup, but North Korea was mostly expected to advance to quarterfinals. Sweden, however, was not an easy opponent.
North Koreans found the Europeans were much sterner than Nigerians. They did not have a shooting chance until the 30th minute, while Victoria Svensson of Sweden got on the end of Malin Anderssons looping ball and slammed her right-footed volley home at the 7th minute.
Having lagged by 1-8 in shooting attempts in the first half, North Korean came back strong after the half time. North Korea nearly got the crucial equalizer when Ri Kum Suk slammed a ferocious shot against the Swedish crossbar at the 57th minute.
U.S. downed Nigeria 5-0 to march on toward their third World Cup title. China, runner-up in 1999, drew a 1-1 tie with Australia with a second-half equalizer.