Womens 2007 World Cup; match 3

Group B, 11/9/07 in Chengdu.

North Korea v. USA

North Korea: M.H.Jon, J.R.Om, J.S.Song, H.O.Kong, K.S.Sonu, K.H.Kim, S.H.Ho (Y.A.Kim 22, P.S.Jong 90), U.G.Ri, U.S.Ri, S.H.Kil, K.S.Ri.

USA: H.Solo, S.Lopez, C.Whitehill, K.Markgraf, C.Rampone, S.Boxx, L.Chalupny, C.Lloyd, H.O'Reilly (N.Kai 92), K.Lilly, A.Wambach.

Perhaps the most eagerly anticipated of all the group stage games produced a real thriller as the United States and North Korea traded blows throughout an open and exciting encounter.

From the start the Koreans were quick to show their highly rated opponents that they woulod not be intimidated by reputation or situation as they swarmed onto the attack and had the American goal under pressure.

K.S.Ri sent in the first shot after little more than ten seconds and the effort was a good one, flashing just wide from 20 yards out.

In damp conditions that probably helped the flow of the game Korea continued to work openings although the early stages saw defences generally on top. This would change as the game wore on, however.

Y.A.Kim, just on as an early substitute for S.H.Ho, came close with a fine header while the Americans, not surprisingly, also had their moments of promise from crossed balls.

The closest to a goal in the first half came shortly before the break when the towering Abby Wambach rose to bullet a header against the bar and it took alert defending to clear the danger from the rebound.

The game had been threatening to really explode and after the interval it certainly did.

The first half had seen assured displays from both keepers but both goalies would make terrible mistakes as play opened up completely in the second.

America took the lead on 50 minutes. Kristine Lilly opened up the Korean defence with a sublime reverse ball into Wambach who unleashed a powerful rising drive towards the far corner.

The effort was well struck but should have been saved. M.H.Jon saw the ball slip between her fingers and continue on into the net, however, for howler number one.

The next significant action saw Wambach have to leave the field for stitches after clashing heads when back clearing a corner. The States reckoned they could patch her up quickly and carried on with ten.

By the time Wambach returned to the action her side were behind.

Hope Solo, in America's goal, had been excellent but when S.H.Kil drilled in a strong effort from 25 yards she made an even worse mistake than Jon in letting the ball squirm through her fingers for the equaliser.

Four minutes later a spot of pinball inside the American penalty area ended with the ball dropping for Y.A.Kim to slide home to put Korea in front.

Wambach now returned and America got back on terms almost immediately. Another spot of penalty area pinball ended with the ball at Heather O'Reilly's feet and she reacted quickly to send a precise shot into the top corner.

It was amazing that the goals the two sides had scored were virtual replicas of each other although it retained the symmetry of a remarkably even contest.

With twenty minutes remaining both sides went in search of a winner but the two goalkeepers now returned to their form of the first half and repelled a string of efforts.

The best came in injury time when Solo dived dramatically to her right to turn away a rasping effort from U.G.Ri and prevent the Koreans from claiming a famous victory.

Honours even and both sides emerged from this titanic, high quality, encounter with lots of credit.

If this is an indicator of what the tournament has in store then we are in for a real treat.

Full Time: North Korea 2 USA 2