US women’s team desperate for soccer victory over North Korea
Tuesday, 11 September 2007
CHENGDU, China, Sept 10 (AFP): Two-time champions the United States kick-start their World Cup campaign here Tuesday against Asian number ones North Korea, desperate to seize back the crown they lost four years ago.
The US, ranked number one in the world, are clear favourites to win the tournament over reigning champions Germany.
With only one loss in more than two-and-a-half years, the Americans have immpeccable preparation, but they face tough battles in the early stages after being drawn in the 'Group of Death'.
Their stiffest challengers will be European dynamos Sweden, runners-up at the last World Cup, who take on African champions Nigeria in a Group B double header at the Chengdu Sports Center Stadium Tuesday night.
All four teams in Group B are in the world top five.
Although the US comfortably defeated North Korea at the last two World Cups, talismanic midfielder Shannon Boxx said they were not taking Tuesday's match -- on the politically sensitive date of September 11 -- for granted.
"North Korea are the first team standing between us and the title. They move the ball very quickly. We will have to keep them in front of us and keep the pressure all over them," she said.
Besides Boxx marshalling the midfield, the US boast veteran captain Kristine Lilly, a key member of the team that won the 1991 and 1999 titles, and set to become the only footballer to play in all five World Cups.
The US, ranked number one in the world, are clear favourites to win the tournament over reigning champions Germany.
With only one loss in more than two-and-a-half years, the Americans have immpeccable preparation, but they face tough battles in the early stages after being drawn in the 'Group of Death'.
Their stiffest challengers will be European dynamos Sweden, runners-up at the last World Cup, who take on African champions Nigeria in a Group B double header at the Chengdu Sports Center Stadium Tuesday night.
All four teams in Group B are in the world top five.
Although the US comfortably defeated North Korea at the last two World Cups, talismanic midfielder Shannon Boxx said they were not taking Tuesday's match -- on the politically sensitive date of September 11 -- for granted.
"North Korea are the first team standing between us and the title. They move the ball very quickly. We will have to keep them in front of us and keep the pressure all over them," she said.
Besides Boxx marshalling the midfield, the US boast veteran captain Kristine Lilly, a key member of the team that won the 1991 and 1999 titles, and set to become the only footballer to play in all five World Cups.