Group B: Womens World Cup Finals
Group B Corals odds for Group Winner USA 1/2 fav
Sweden 13/5
North Korea 9/2
Nigeria 50/1 Fixtures: 11/9/07 North Korea v. USA (Chengdu)
11/9/07 Nigeria v. Sweden (Chengdu)
14/9/07 Sweden v. USA (Chengdu)
14/9/07 Nigeria v. North Korea (Chengdu)
18/9/07 Nigeria v. USA (Shanghai)
18/9/07 North Korea v. Sweden (Tianjin) Review: Ha, ha! The Group Of Death, no less, and it was Sweden feeling the chill hand of the reaper.
This group produced the drama expected but not, perhaps, the quality. America were powerful but not exactly inspirational, North Korea were fit, tenacious and lethal/lucky with their long range shooting while Sweden disappointed hugely.
Nigeria performed with credit and were unlucky to have drawn this short straw. Had they been in Ghana's group they might well have been in with a shout of qualifying.
North Korea shocked the Americans in the opening game and could easily have gone one better than the 2-2 draw they earned while Sweden's opening draw against Nigeria would cost them dear.
The States then overcame Sweden and Nigeria, not entirely convincingly, and Korea were able to qualify despite losing to the Swedes after beating Nigeria.
Stars in this group were actually difficult to find. Even the North Korean coach seems to have difficulty telling his players apart so I'm not going to start singling anyone out for particular credit. Sweden disappointed virtually to a woman but Nigeria's pacy winger Perpetua Nkwocha caught the eye.
For the States I thought Kristine Lilly, the provider, was more impressive than Abby Wambach, the goalscorer, and Sammy Lee lookalike Lori Chalupny obviously stood out in midfield.
Despite one horrible error the goalkeeper Hope Solo (surely nicknamed The Woman From Uncle) confirmed her reputation as one of the worlds' best overall.
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