DPR Korea sealed a 2-0 victory over Nigeria within the opening 21 minutes here on Friday to teach the five-time African champions what the quality of Dark Horses is.
The former Asian champions, which narrowly missed out their chances of making the quarterfinals in last edition of the tournament four years ago on the United States soil, took a full dominance over the pitch from the right beginning of their second World Cup Group B game.
"We've taken the crucial win here today," said coach Kim Kwang Min at a post-match press conference. "If the Australian (Tammy Ogston) could have refereed more fair, I think the game would be played with more highlights."
Midfielder Kim Kyong Hwa made breakthrough for the twice former Asian champions, swinging in a superb left corner directly in the 17th minute.
Just four minutes later, Kim launched another corner, and uncautioned skipper Ri Kum Suk came up to the ball from far point to head in the second for the Koreans, who stunned twice world cup winners the United States with a 2-2 draw in Tuesday's opening match of the arguable Group of Death.
Ri's second goal on 55 minutes was ruled offside, after the established striker being picked up by a left wing pass from Kil Son Hui.
With the victory, DPR Korea moved up to the jointly top position in Group B standings, tying the United States, which beat Sweden 2-0 earlier on Friday, on 4 points from a win and a draw with both 4 goals for and 2 against.
Compared with the other Group B match earlier on the day, the DPR Korea-Nigeria game went on a more physical way, with the Koreans' midfielder Kim Kyong Hwa and forward and captain Ri Kum Suk respectively being forced out of the ground in the 35th and 38th minute after challenges with rival players.
Nigeria were outplayed for most of time, making mainly their shooting attempts before the break, with veteran striker Perpetua Nkwocha's double, repectively at 15 and 44, both shot wide.
Chiejine headed the ball inside the penalty box after just 7 minutes into the game, but her pass was cleared by the Koreans with none of her teammates paced up for it.
The 24-year-old again made a tight-angle tap after a solo run down the left wing in the 34th minute, but was easily saved by Korean keeper Jon Myong Hui.
Coach Ntiero Effiom was only satisfied with the second half performance from his players, and kept in up mood for advancing to the quarters, though sitting temporarily on the bottom of the Group B table after tying on both points and goal differential with Sweden.
"The first half was very tough. We conceded two goals on early minutes, and that made it even more difficult for us to go on," he said. "But in my mind, the players played a better game after the break."
"We granted three points to the Koreans, but there still lies a slim hope for us to reach the quarters. Actually, we are full of expectations for the final group match against the U.S..
"Here's in the group stage. Here's in the Group of Death. And everything is possible," he added.
Source: Xinhua
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