(Xinhua)
Updated: 2007-09-19 03:05

BEIJING - Twice winners the United States and DPR Korea both qualified for the quarter-finals of the Women's World Cup by finishing top two in Group B after their matches on Tuesday.

The U.S. team beat Nigeria 1-0 in the heavy rain brought by the coming typhoon Wipha to advance as leaders of the "Group of Death" and DPR Korea finished second in the group despite losing to Sweden 2-1 in Tianjin.

The Americans were quickly into action with midfielder Lori Chalupny snatched the winner in the very first minute after collecting a center inside the box.

Nigeria missed the best chance on 74 minutes, when Perpetua Nkwocha burst into the box before firing a small angle shot to slip the far post.

The "Flying Eagles" threatened the Americans with some long distance counter-attacks and caused some melee inside their rivals' area, but failed to strike.

The U.S. have seven points after two wins and a hard-fought 2-2 draw with DPR Korea to top Group B. They will meet Group A runners-up England in the quarter-finals. Nigeria have to bid farewell to the tournament with a solo point to be at the basement of the group.

Sweden continued their unbeaten history against DPR Korea by beat their rival 2-1, after two 1-0s in the two team's previous meetings. Due to fewer clear goals, the 2003 World Cup runners-up had to say goodbye to their fans in China. Charlotta Schelin scored twice separately in the two halves.

DPR Korea qualified for the first time after they were eliminated from the group stage in 1999 and 2003. They will meet defending champions Germany in Wuhan on Sep. 22.