USA Ties North Korea In World Cup Opener
du Nord, September 11, 2007
Post-game analysis from du Nord reader Adam on the USA v North Korea match.Group Stage Match 1:USA 2-2 North KoreaRight from the first whistle in today’s US-North Korea match, both teams played at a frenetic pace that made yesterday’s 11-0 snoozer between Germany and Argentina look like a high school game.A confident North Korean side, who finally lived up to pre-tournament hype that they are a contender to take the crown, kept the United States under constant pressure with their penetrating passing sequences and dangerous long-range attempts on goal. Though the US edged the Koreans in shots, 21 to 18, it was Korea who held possession for much of the match and dictated the speed of play.The US, playing in a 4-3-3 formation, clearly lacked strength in the middle of the park. Midfielders Lori Chaulpny, Carli Lloyd, and Shannon Boxx struggled to connect with the US forwards all game long. The American’s best chance to score in the first half came in the 40th minute when Abby Wambach headed a corner kick off the