US midfielder Christie Rampone (L) challenges North Korea's Ri Un Gyong during their Women's World Cup match in Chengdu, China. The United States were forced to fight back against North Korea to ensure a 2-2 draw in their opening World Cup match. [Photo: AFP] The United States were forced to fight back against North Korea to ensure a 2-2 draw in their World Cup opener Tuesday.
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The Americans, ranked number one in the world, had been early favourites to win their third World Cup title here over defending champions Germany.
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But they were clearly rattled by the Asian number ones, who have never reached the knockout stages of a World Cup.
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After scoring the first goal, the Americans, who also have two Olympic gold medals, were forced onto the back foot, going 2-1 down before rallying to secure a point.
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Playing in front of a 36,000-strong crowd in drizzling rain, North Korea dominated the first half, with fast and furious attacks on goal that ran the American defence ragged.
Despite dominating possession and territory for much of the first half, the tenacious North Koreans were unable to find a way through the desperate American defence.
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But the Americans came out firing in the second period, with formidable captain Kristine Lilly picking out Aby Wambach who had time to chest the ball down in the box before firing her shot through keeper Jon Myong Hui's hands.
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But disaster struck just minutes later, when the US were reduced to 10 players after Wambach came off second best in an aerial battle in the box and left the ground, her head bleeding.
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North Korea pounced as forward Kil Son Hui launched a thunderous kick from just outside the box that sailed over the head of outstretched goalkeeper Hope Solo. Kim Yong Ae followed up in the 62nd with a volley that snuck through.
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Wambach came back on two minutes later, and immediately tried to rally the Americans with screams of encouragement.
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The US took heed, and launched another attack, with forward Heather O'Reilly picking up the crumbs, taking advantage of two North Korean deflections to rifle her shot into the net and equalise in the 69th minute.
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Both sides launched waves of attacks as the clock ticked down, but the match petered out to a draw. |
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