United States hopes to get off on the right foot

Soccer Betting Lines

09/10/2007 - Chengdu, China (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The United States hasn't had any problems with North Korea in two previous meetings, rolling to 3-0 wins in the 1999 and 2003 World Cups.

While the United States has been a world power since the first Cup in 1991 and enters this year's event ranked No. 1 in the world by FIFA, North Korea has its best team ever.

North Korea, ranked fifth in the world, is not only good enough to defeat the United States but challenge for a World Cup title as well.

That's why U.S. coach Greg Ryan called Tuesday's clash "a very pivotal game in our group."

The United States, World Cup winners in 1991 and 1999, have never faced such a crucial game in the group stage of the tournament. The United States is 11-0-1 all-time in group play, outscoring its opponents by combined scores of 44-8.

With three of the top five teams in the world in Group B - Sweden is third - no team can afford to slip up this year if it hopes to advance. That includes the United States.

"They (North Korea)," Ryan said, "are a great team."

Although North Korea hasn't enjoyed any success in its previous two World Cups, winning just two of its six matches in '99 and '03, it has emerged as the top team in Asia over the past few years. North Korea won the Under-20 World Cup last year and six players from that team have joined the senior club.

"We will not be intimidated by the USA," North Korea coach Kim Kwang-Min said on FIFA.com. "Our approach will be to attack our way to victory and rely on our never-say-die spirit."

Veteran Ri Kum Suk, who was nominated for FIFA Player of the Year in 2006, is the key to North Korea's high-octane offense. But Ri Un Suk, who just came up from the U-20 team, is another speedy goalscorer who fits in well on the team.

"One thing I remember about North Korea that they did to us in the game in 2003 was that they threw a lot of numbers forward," said U.S. captain Kristine Lilly, who will be appearing in her fifth Cup. "I know they will be coming strong as us."

The United States plans to go right at North Korea as well.

"I think in order to compete with North Korea, we have to match their high pressure, their intensity, as well as play smart, just try to attack them," U.S. defender Kate Markgraf said.

With forwards Lilly and Abby Wambach, the United States can match any team in the tournament offensively. Lilly, '06 runner-up for FIFA Player of the Year, has 126 goals and 100 assists in her career. Wambach has an amazing 77 goals and 33 assists in just 96 games.

"It's going to take our best soccer in order to beat them," Markgraf said, "and we're excited for the challenge."

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