Sweden, runners-up in 2003 FIFA Women's World Cup, are currently in big trouble in the group after tying Nigeria in first round 1-1 and losing to their old rival the United States with a shameful 0-2.

The Americans tied DPR Koreans 2-2 in the first round which was a good result for both powerhouses. Both teams respectively got a 2-0 win in the second matches and seized four points and two clear goals.

A draw will be enough for the DPR Koreans and the Americans to reach the quarterfinals, whereas Sweden and Nigeria both need to win by three goals if they are to get through to the next round. If both Sweden and Nigeria were to win by this margin, then the United States and DPR Korea would be out, which seemed to be impossible to happen.

According to FIFA official website, the United States and DPR Korea produced a sparkling advertisement for women's football with a fiercely contested 2-2 draw in the group opener after Germany's 11-0 drubbing of Argentina in Shanghai on September 10. Ri Kum-Suk, who was DPR Korea's captain, became the Player of the Match.

DPR Koreans' corners undid Nigeria in the second match. Kim Kyong-Hwa scored from a corner and captain Ri headed home from another as DPR Korea beat Nigeria 2-0 to go to the top of Group B, level with the United States on four points with one game to go.

Shortlisted for 2007 Asian Player of the Year, Ri finished top scorer with 15 goals in the DPR Korean's victorious Asian Cup campaign of 2003, then went on to score four goals in their Asian Games success in Doha 2006. She was also in running to be the 2006FIFA Women's Player of the Year.

"We have had success in Asia," she said. "But now we intend to be recognized as a world power."

Sweden are seeking change of luck. With a group of returning players from the team that finished runner-ups four years ago in the United States, confidence in the Sweden camp was understandably high on arrival in the southwestern Chinese city of Chengdu for the start of this FIFA Women's World Cup.

In the space of just three days and 180 minutes of football, however, their mood turned dark.

"We just let too many chances go begging in the match against Nigeria, chances that could have killed off the Nigerians and given us three points, not only one," two-time Swedish Player of the Year Hanna Ljungberg said after the match against Nigeria.

The Scandinavians' hope of a perfect start was crushed by Nigeria's Cynthia Uwak, who played her club football in Sweden when she struck an equalizer eight minutes from time in Chengdu on Sept. 11.

In the second match against the United States, Sweden's dream of re-showing the glory in 2003 was almost broken when American striker Abby Wambach stole the show on September 14, slotting home a first-half penalty and hammering a stunning half-volley after the break to secure her side a 2-0 win.

The Swedes were again punished for their uncharacteristic lack of punch in attack. Ljungberg nearly scored in the opening seconds and striking partner and captain Victoria Svensson threatened a goal too in a dominant opening 30 minutes by Sweden, who had the Americans scrambling to keep pace.

In the end, however, the Scandinavians were undone by a mistake. Goalkeeper Hedvig Lindahl misjudged a looping ball and allowing in the goal. Wambach showed both Ljungberg and Svensson where they had gone wrong.

Now facing elimination, the Swedes will find no solace in the identity of their finals Group B opponents, whom the face in their now surroundings of Tianjin on Tuesday.

A date with DPR Korea, whose fortunes at these finals appear in diametric opposition to theirs, will be no walk in the park.

"We are under no illusions," said Ljungberg. "Our loss to the United States has made things very hard for us in terms of reaching the knockout rounds."

"We can't go into the game thinking we have no chance to qualify," Svensson concluded. "We have to try to win and finish strong."

Only a win with three or more clear goals could do the trick for the Swedes, and their strike force should know they must find their shooting boots first.