North Korea grounds Super Falcons

Soccer Betting Lines

09/14/2007 - Chengdu, China (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Kyong Hwa Kim and Kum Suk Ri scored as North Korea cruised to a 2-0 win over Nigeria on Friday, proving its tie against the United States on Tuesday was no fluke.

Kim and Ri scored four minutes apart in the opening half off corner kicks, and North Korea's lead was never really threatened.

With the win, North Korea moved into a tie with the United States atop Group B and all but assured itself a spot in the quarterfinals.

A win or a tie against Sweden on Tuesday and North Korea would advance, but it could also advance with a loss. The United States plays Nigeria on Tuesday and faces the same scenario, but the top spot in the group is still on the line.

North Korea opened the game against Nigeria showcasing an attacking style that caught the United States off guard and also had the African champions on their heels.

Nigeria goalie Precious Dede played well early, continuing the strong form she showed in a 1-1 tie with Sweden on Tuesday. Twice in the early minutes of the match she did well to push shots over the crossbar.

North Korea solved Dede for the first time in the 17th minute, finding the net directly off a corner kick. Kim took the corner from the left side, swinging a ball just over Dede that skimmed off the bottom of the crossbar.

After Dede survived two long shots from North Korea, one that went just over the crossbar and one she punched wide, she was helpless on another corner in the 21st minute.

Kim took the kick and sent a cross toward the far side of the box. Ri was wide open and she jumped to head the ball, squeezing it between two Nigeria players who stood flat-footed on the line.

Nigeria showed a little life on offense in the first half, putting three shots on target, but North Korea goalie Myong Hui Jon wasn't tested.

North Korea had the first chance in the second half, a Kim blast from well out of the box that took a high hop in front of Dede and nearly bounced off of her and into the goal.

North Korea continued creating chances early in the second half, hitting the frame in the 51st minute.

Nigeria had its first good scoring chance after halftime in the 63rd minute when Cynthia Uwak, 2006 FIFA Player of the Year nominee and reigning African Woman Footballer of the Year, headed a ball just wide of the right post.

From there, the pace of the game slowed considerably as North Korea settled in to protect its lead. The team rarely threatened over the final 30 minutes, but Nigeria did little to worry the Koreans.

Nigeria really only threatened once in the last third of the game, getting a shot off a corner that was easily handled by North Korea's goalie.

For Nigeria to advance to the quarterfinals for just the second time in its history, it has to beat the United States by at least three goals on Tuesday.

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