June 26th, 2011 Group C – USA v Korea DPR sets an interesting tone for action in Group B of the 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup, because the number one ranked team in the world are struggling a bit. The USA are the ever presents in the Women’s World cup and are two times winners, in 1991 and in 1999, and they always go into these tournaments as one of the favourites. However, with it having been over a decade since they last tasted success, and just one former World Cup winner now on their roster, the USA need to get back on track. At the last two Women’s World Cups, they have finished in third place, simply not good enough for a team who can call upon a wealth of talent from across the nation. They just have not been able to put it all together in the latter stages of the tournament when it matters most, and their form over the last sixth months gives an interesting perspective on USA v North Korea 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup betting odds. The USA drew with China (who are missing the Finals for the first time), last October, and then a major shock was on the cards when it came to the 2010 Gold Cup, the CONCACAF qualification tournament for Germany 2011. Strong favourites the USA were halted in their tracks with a 2-1 defeat by Mexico in the semi finals. No-one saw that coming, as the US were the powerhouses in the tournament and expected to routinely go through, especially with a particularly impressive record against the Mexican Women. But the table were turned, leaving the US to have to beat Costa Rica for third place in the tournament, which sent them into a play off against Italy for a berth at the World Cup finals.
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Two 1-0 wins there saw the USA take their place again in the finals, but it has been a much bumpier ride than expected. Following that sigh of relief, the USA have lost to both Sweden and England this year, so they are on shaky ground. With North Korean one of the stronger sides in the tournament as well, Group C at the 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup has been labelled the Group of Nightmares (more politically correct than the Group of Death one assumes) because tough, experienced European side Sweden are also in the group, along with outsiders Colombia. So there really is going to be a three way battle for the top here, so USA Women v North Korea Women 2011 FIFA World Cup football betting really could set the tone for the group. The USA won’t want to have to play catch up in the group, especially with another tough match against Sweden to come. Can the USA get their act together when it matters most and put the last six months or so behind them. The thing about the USA women, is that they have the capacity and talent to do so, without question. Other nations still fear and respect them, but maybe not so much at the moment, and that will make them big targets. In terms of winning the tournament outright, the USA have a lot more to prove than other favourites Brazil and host nation Germany. Having been drawn in a tough group, you feel if they battle their way through there, they will only get stronger and better. Nothing brings a team together like winning through adversity. While the USA have been struggling, they will have seen the likes of Germany, Brazil and England get even stronger. It will be the toughest Women’s World Cup for them to win if they do.
So North Korea is first up for them in the 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup. USA v Korea DPR football betting is trickier to call than you may first think, because the Asian side are not going to be pushovers. They are very organised and well drilled and while they are perhaps one of the more inexperienced teams in the tournament, they still have been a force to be reckoned with in the Asian Championships. They scored a huge moral victory by knocking out China in the semi finals of qualification to get to the final. That victory was enough to get them through, even though they lost to Australia in the final. While they may not bring the experience and flair to the tournament which some other nations will, you can expect diligence, hard work and a battling attitude from them. The thing about North Korea is that they are a totally different side from their 2007 World Cup campaign (where they lost to Germany in the quarter finals), but they have had a lot of their young dynamic players coming through the ranks from the 2006 U-20’s Women’s World Cup winning team. So they are a bit of an unknown quantity, but you can be assured that they will take on the USA and try to over power them with speed and quick counter attacks. North Korea hold a strong, proud history in the women’s game, staying inside the top ten of the world ranking, but they have never been past the quarter finals of the Women’s World Cup. A strong start against the USA will put them in great standing.
USA Women v Korea DPR Women 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup football betting
USA Women to win: 4/9 at BetFred
Draw: 16/5 at William Hill
Korea DPR Women to win: 13/2 at Bet365
USA Women v Korea DPR Women Betting Tip: Korea DPR Women are great performers in the Asian championships, but have yet to really translate it over onto the world stage. Maybe their strong showing at the 2006 U-20 Women’s World Cup will put them in good stead here, but the USA will be favourites. Every chance of a draw here because the USA Women will get more frustrated the longer the match goes on without breaking down the stubborn defence of the Korea Women.
USA Women Outright Winner Odds: 13/2 at William Hill
Korea DPR Women Outright Winner Odds: 33/1 at Bet365
Group C Winner Odds
USA: 4/6 ay Paddy Power
Sweden: 13/8 at William Hill
Korea DPR: 15/2 at Paddy Power
Colombia: 50/1 at William Hill
