In the 2003 USA World Cup, the hosts and then defending champions' desire for a third world title had been expected to undergo tough tests in the first round, as they were drawn into a group with eventual runners-up Sweden, African champions Nigeria and then Asian champions DPR Korea.

The U.S., however, wrapped up three easy wins in front of the enthusiastic home fans to advance to the knocking-out phrase before being stopped at the semifinals by Germany, which later beat the Swedes 2-1 with a golden goal in the final and lifted the trophy.

Sweden needed the third group match before winning the battle for second place against DPR Korea, while Nigeria arguably came out the biggest disappointment of the tournament's first round, losing all three matches and failing to score a single goal.

Like a joke made by Soccer God, the four national teams have been again drawn into the same group, and Group B thus emerges as the Group of Death for the China 2007, which kicks off on Sept. 10. Will it be another circle running or the producer of giant killers?

Apparently it's familiar foes there, but not exactly the same.

Sure to be the favorites to advance from the group, the U.S. and Sweden face challenges from the new squads of Nigeria and DPR Korea, while experiencing crucial changes inside their own bodies.

The U.S. have gotten themselves through the disappointment of losing the semis on home soil through the help of a sports psychologist, as well as through the moment of transition under the reign of current head coach Greg Ryan, with the older generation of stars being replaced by an upstart crew of young hopefuls.

"We've had the psychology for a good few years now. Through refocusing, imagery and promoting togetherness, it gives us confidence and belief," said key striker Abby Wambach.

As the world's first women's soccer team made up of full-time professionals and also one of the most successful teams (women's or men's) in history, the U.S. have won the inaugural women's World Cup in China in 1991 and at home in 1999, twice Olympic gold medals in 1996 and 2004, and five Algarve Cups (2000, 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2007).

They finished third in both the 1995 and 2003 women's World Cups as the team made appearances in every previous edition.

Like any other traditional power, the Americans came through "Growing Pains" as most of their core players had gotten over-age.

Mia Hamm hung up her boots right after the 2003 Cup, while the 36-year-old skipper Kristine Lilly still holds on.

Led by Lilly, the U.S. beat Canada in the final of last year's CONCACAF Women's Gold Cup to further extend the team's winning streak in the continental tournament since 1991 and to book another ticket on the world stage.

Ryan also inserted new blood into his squad after taking over from April Heinrichs in early 2005, with sensations like Natash Kai having emerged as the potential candidate for a future big-wave rider.

With the experience as the assistant coach for three years, Ryan soon corped with his players and has taken them from strength to strength.

Under his reign, the U.S. women have been unbeaten over 90 minutes with an awesome 37 wins and no losses from 44 games. Their only hiccough in that time was a penalty shootout loss to world champions Germany at the 2006 Algarve Cup.

The 50-year-old led the American gals to an Algarve Cup title, a Peace Queen Cup championship in South Korea and a CONCACAF Championship on home soil, which piled up another stronghold for the team's third title attempt in China World Cup.

Sweden are the one following up the U.S. after having qualified for the finals of every women's World Cup and date their best performance at the last edition.

They had a change of coach in 2005, with Thomas Dennerby taking over from Marika Domanski-Lyfors, who came to lead China earlier this year.

The Sweden's Coach of the Year for 2004, 48, has determined to continue in the same vein as his processor, as well as having since blooded a number of promising newcomers for the 2003 World Cup runners-up, among them Maria Aronsson, Marlene Sjoberg and Elin Ekblom.

Leading a squad packed with established players like Hanna Ljungberg and Victoria Svensson, Dennerby had it done well in working to introduce more flexibility into his team's tactical approach in the run-up to the finals. They won a near perfect 7-1-0 in qualifying and racked up 32 goals while conceding just six.

"If we prepare properly and remain free of injuries, we can match our showing of 2003. We know what we're capable of if the conditions are right," predicted striker Hanna Ljungberg.

DPR Korea, however, could be the real challengers against both the Americans and the Nordic.

Led by established striker Ri Kum Suk and a pack of world-class players, the "Mysterious Troop" have reached the higher level and stand by shoulders with top sides in the world, though they experienced up and downs last year.

Head coach Kim Kwang Min failed to lead his team to defend the continental crown in the Asian championship last year, but they claimed victory at the Asian Games football tournament in Doha, Qatar last December, as well as doing well in the World Cup advance and are currently on top of the qualifying group for the 2008 Olympic Games.

Also their youth team shocked the watching world by sweeping past many superpowers to claim the country's first-ever football world title at the FIFA U-20 Women's World Championship.

Speed, stamina and physical strength, coupled with a trademark never-say-die spirit, are what Kim enspirits into his squad to make them possible dark horses and formidable opponents even for the most powerful of the FIFA Women's World Cup contenders.

With the DPR Korean side undergoing a transition, the 2006 U20 World Cup winners Ho Sun Hui and Kim Kyong Hwa have been included in Kim's squad, while elder players like Ri still playing vital roles in the younger-looking team.

The Koreans claimed their first victory in the World Cup finals by beating Denmark 3-1 in U.S., and were again bowed out of the tournament in the first round four years later. It should be their turn this time to mark on the world stage.

Nigeria head coach Ntiero Effiom Ntiero has the task of leading the five-time African champions to translate their dominance beyond the shores of Africa.

However, the Super Falcons, which have made every women's World Cup Finals since 1991 but managed just once to finish in the top eight, lack the integrality among such a pack of high-level players with outstanding individual skills, as well as an efficient tactics in defense.

But Ntiero and his players are not the ones to say against their own chances. "I believe the 2007 World Cup is going to be good to us," said Ntiero.