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I read that the US women were playing the North Koreans. I cant access sports here at work on the net due to websense.

Did the American girls win?

US Women's Soccer Team Opens World Cup with a Draw Against North Korea
By Jim Stevenson
Chengdu, China
11 September 2007

Stevenson report audio clip
Listen to Stevenson report audio clip

A wet field and steady rain made playing conditions difficult as the top-ranked United States and North Korea played at the Women's World Cup in China. But as VOA's Jim Stevenson reports from Chengdu, it was a coaching decision that may have cost the Americans a win.

North Korean women (in red) play US at World Cup in China
North Korean women (in red) play US at World Cup in China
With FIFA president Sepp Blatter in attendance, the first half was scoreless and statistically balanced. The wet field did not disrupt the Americans' crisp passing while the North Koreans displayed energy and speed.

The second half opened with a U.S. score by Abby Wambach in the 50th minute. But five minutes later she was hit hard in the head. U.S. coach Greg Ryan decided not to replace her as Wambach departed to receive stitches. He chose instead to wait for Wambach's return while playing the North Koreans one player short.

During that time, a quick pair of goals by Kil Son-hui and substitute Kim Yong-ae gave North Korea the lead.

Wambach returned to the lineup, and she helped spark the tying goal by Heather O'Reilly. Ryan talks about his decision not to replace his injured star forward. "It was a very tough call. The doctors said they could get her back in within just a few minutes. Abby is such an important player to this team. I thought we could withstand playing 11 against 10. North Korea is a great team. But the two goals we gave up I do not think were great goals. I think they were goals we could have stopped," he said.

Through an interpreter, North Korean coach Kim Kwan Min says he learned a lot from playing the U.S. women. "As for the first match for my team, it provides us with a very good chance first of all to know what is the exact criteria level (skill level) for winning FIFA's World Cup. Secondly by playing this match, we will know how to adjust our team and prepare better for upcoming games," he said.

In other action, Swedish captain Victoria Svensson and Nigerian forward Cynthia Uwak netted second-half goals as Sweden and Nigeria tied, 1-1. The result means Group-B is deadlocked with each team collecting one point from the opening games.

In Shanghai, England played Japan to a 2-2 draw in Group-A. Defending champion Germany leads that group after setting a Women's World Cup single-game scoring record Monday in an 11-0 rout against Argentina.

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I love soccer, have since i was old enough to walk.

But call me sexiest if you want, but i cannot watch womens soccer. Tried it and cannot do it. My interest in the WWC goes as far as checking the scores to see how England did, hopefully they may win a few this year. But i wont be watching any of it.

I am not particularly a fan of soccer but it has been gratifying to see the great success of the American women. its too bad they were not able to crush the North Koreans with a nice big exclamation point.

But then I suppose the NK felt lucky to escape with a draw. If they had been crushed it probably would go hard for them upon their return to that repressed state.

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You KNOW players always swap shirts at the end of the match!!

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Yeah....I wish. have you seen those sports bras Not exactly flattering if you know what i mean.

Now if they were to play in Triumph bras I would buy a season ticket.

I watched the football... the sides where quite evenly matched. It was end to end stuff. Shame there was NO midfield action.

LFC will win the premiership this year!!!

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It was end to end stuff

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End to End. I bet you are not talking about the Germany game

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LFC will win the premiership this year

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You could be right there. They are certainly looking good so far. But, early days, as they say. Theres a lot of football to be played yet.

Come on you gunners.

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There sure is! I wish my Fantasy Team played as well atm tbh

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Ive never understood this fantasy football stuff. So many people have treid to get me to join in. I never seem to be able to figure it out.

Probably just as well. I would only ever pick Arsenal players anyway.