FIFA Women's World Cup 2003 Group A

The United States were seeded in Group A as hosts but had already qualified having won the 2002 CONCACAF Women's Gold Cup. Their star player, Mia Hamm was making her fourth appearance in the World Cup finals. North Korea had emerged as the strongest women's team in Asia, having won the Asian Championship for the second time in succession. Nigeria were by some way the strongest women's team in Africa having won all five editions of the African Women's Championship. Sweden had once again qualified with some ease from a group that had included Scandinavian rivals Denmark and Finland as well as Switzerland.

Group A | Group B | Group C | Group D | Knock Out Stages

2003 Overview

Nigeria

north korea 2003 womens world cup 2nd kit

Korea DPR

Nigeria 0 Korea DPR 3

Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia (23,347)
20 September

North Korea took an early lead (Jin Pyoi Hui 13') but the decisive goals came late in the game. Ri Un Gyong made it 2-0 in the 73rd minute and Jin scored again with two minutes remaining.

United States

Sweden

United States 3 Sweden 1

RFK Stadium, Washington DC (35,000)
21 September

For the United States team this was an important win against a strong Swedish side. They were two goals up at half-time: Lilly finished off some smart passes in the Swedish area by crashing the ball home (27') while Parlow powerfully headed home Mia Hamm's corner (36'). Svensson put the Swedes back in the game with a looping header in the second half (58') but Shannon Boxx put the game beyond reach with 12 minutes to go, another header from Hamm's corner.

Sweden

north korea 2003 women's world cup 1st kit

Korea DPR

Sweden 1 Korea DPR 0

Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia (31,553)
25 September

Victoria Svensson pounced on a high ball to volley past the Korean goalkeeper with seven minutes played and that was that.

United States

Nigeria

United States 5 Nigeria 0

Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia (31,553)
25 September

Hamm put the United States into an early lead with a penalty (6') and made it 2-0 with a long free-kick into the area that deceived Precious Dede and flew into the net six minutes later. Parlow headed home from Hamm's corner two minutes after the restart and Wambach side footed a cross into the goal in the 65th minute. In the final minute Foudy had the ball in the net from a penalty but the referee inexplicably ordered the kick retaken because Dede, the Nigerian goalkeeper, had advanced out of goal before the kick was taken; Foudy kept her nerve and slotted the ball home.

Sweden

Nigeria

Sweden 3 Nigeria 0

Columbus Crew, Columbus (22,828)
28 September

All of Sweden's goals came in the second half as they overpowered Nigeria who were eliminated with no points. Sweden would go into the next round provided that the United States did not lose their match in the second part of this double header.

Korea DPR

United States

Korea DPR 0 United States 3

Columbus Crew, Columbus (22,828)
28 September

There was another odd refereeing decision in the opening stages of this game when Wambach slotted home an easy chance but was denied by the referee who awarded a penalty. Wambach converted this and justice was served. Reddick added two more in the second half.