Sweden Gets Big Win And Helps USA In World Cup Soccer

In the first 7 minutes of the game, Victoria Svensson hit a great volley from just inside the 18 yard box, giving Sweden a 1-0 lead that would stand the rest of the game.

Svensson scored on a nice little cross by Malin Andersson. Svensson was named the Player of the Game, but I would have given it to either Jane Toernqvist, Karolina Westberg. Toernqvist and Westberg had the jobs of marking up with Korea’s top players, Pyol Hui Jin and Un Gyong Ri, and they didn’t let them get any good shooting opportunities on net.

North Korea’s Goalie Ri Jong Hui kept her team close with a great sliding save on a breakaway by Hanna Ljungberg.

The win by Sweden helps the USA almost clinch a place in the next round of the FIFA World Cup of soccer. If the USA loses to North Korea all 3 teams will be tied, but the USA has the advantage on goal differential. The only way for the USA to not make it was if they got routed by North Korea and Sweden blows out Nigeria. The USA has a 7 goal differential while North Korea has 2 and Sweden has –1.