USA start women's W.Cup title run against N.Korea

Posted Tuesday, June 28, 2011 by YAHOO Sport

DRESDEN, Germany (AFP) - Two-time world champions United States look to shrug off a bumpy road to the 2011 Women's World Cup and start their title run against familiar foes North Korea in Group C.

Pia Sundhage's American side was the last to book a spot for Germany 2011, losing to Mexico in the qualifying stage and having to struggle against Italy (two 1-0 victories) to reach the finals.

The world number one ranked USA then lost warm-up matches against fellow World Cup sides England (2-1 in April in England) and Norway (3-1 in Austria on June 20).

That hasn't affected the Americans' confidence though.

"We have had a bumpy road, but I think the situation has strengthened us," said Sundhage.

"All of the losses we've suffered over the past 12 months have given us things to work on, and I think it has helped us to improve in the long run," added American forward Abby Wambach, one of the most prolific goal scorers in the world.

The key to the fourth USA-North Korea World Cup group stage encounter could be the Americans' experience as they are the oldest team in the tournament - and hope to break down the will of the young Koreans.

Wambach is one of the Americans who remembers well the most recent World Cup clash with North Korea as she needed to have a gash in her head stitched up following a head butt by a North Korean player on a corner in a 2-2 draw at the 2007 Cup in China.

"I think that this time around we can expect another close game. We just need to take the chances that we create and hopefully I can stay on the pitch this time," said Wambach, who had to watch as the Koreans scored both their goals while she was being treated.

One possible weakness is the lack of experience at the USA outside backs in Amy Le Peilbet on the left and Ali Krieger on the right - both making their World Cup debut.

Midfielder Shannon Boxx will have to stay back to allow the outside back to get forward and give the U.S. attack some extra push getting through the midfield.

The Koreans meanwhile are the youngest team in this tournament and their average age of 20 years and 11 months makes them the third youngest in Women's World Cup history behind only Nigeria (18 years, eight months) and Chinese Taipei (20 years and five months) from the 1991 finals.

Young doesn't necessarily translate to not talented as top defender Ri Un Hyang is one of three players on coach Kim Kwang Min's squad - along with Ra Un Sim and Jo Yun Mi - who won the 2006 U20 Women's World Cup in 2006.

North Korea also won the 2008 U17 World Cup and finished runners-up to the U.S. at the 2008 U20 World Cup.

Jo Yun-Mi will prove to have a crucial role in the middle of the Korea team after she won the Most Valuable Player of the 2010 Asian Cup.

Still, despite the talent and expectations and the consistent spot in FIFA's top 10 ranking - currently number eight in the world - the Koreans have only advance past the group stage once, losing to eventual champions Germany in the quarters in 2007.

North Korea were bounced from the first round in both 1999 and 2003. The United States however have never lost to North Korea at the World Cup - winning 3-0 in the group stage in 1999 and 2003 before the draw four years ago.