CHENGDU (China), Sept 14: Asia’s top team North Korea trounced African champions Nigeria 2-0 here Friday as they stepped up their campaign to clinch their first-ever women’s World Cup.

North Korea, ranked five in the world, were firmly in control at the Chengdu Sports Stadium with endless fast and aggressive attacks.

Kim Kyong Hwa got the first goal in the 17th minute with Ri Kum Suk putting the game beyond Nigeria’s reach with a second four minutes later.

The North Koreans look serious contenders for the trophy with their win taking them to the top of Group ‘B’ alongside football heavyweights the United States, with just one group game left to play.

The Koreans surprised this week when they drew 2-2 with the US in their opening clash, and now play Sweden next Tuesday to secure their first-ever quarter-final spot.

European powerhouse Sweden, the runner-up in 2003, were devastated 2-0 by the US earlier in the day and may not reach the knockout stage for the first time in the 16-year history of the Cup.

Only two teams from each group advance in the 16-team tournament.

Kim Kyong Hwa struck in the 17th minute for North Korea with a sensational curling corner that looped into the far side of the net past diving goalkeeper Precious Dede.

Kim was crucial four minutes later, her superb corner kick finding captain Ri Kum Suk on the far side who headed home past several flat-footed defenders.

Nigerian forward Ifeanyi Chiejine was later booked for kicking a Korean player in the upper thigh to wrap up a miserable first half for the Africans.

North Korea continued to pile on the pressure in the second period, with captain Ri rifling home from a cross, only to be judged offside.

Nigeria had a chance in the 62nd minute when a cross found dangerous striker Cynthia Uwak, the African player of the year, in the box, but she pushed her header high and wide.

Nigeria tried desperately to the end, but the frustrated Africans were unable to nail their attacks with a goal.

North Korea have made a resurgence in women’s football of late. After failing to win the Asian Cup last year, their Under-20 team clinched the World Cup in Moscow late in 2006, with many of those players forming the national team here.

Results and standings

Group ‘A’

England 0 Germany 0

Argentina 0 Japan 1

Group ‘B’

North Korea 2 Nigeria 0

Sweden 0 U.S. 2

Group ‘A’

P W D L F A Pts

1 Germany 2 1 1 0 11 0 4

2 Japan 2 1 1 0 3 2 4

3 England 2 0 2 0 2 2 2

4 Argentina 2 0 0 2 0 12 0

Group ‘B’

P W D L F A Pts

1 North Korea 2 1 1 0 4 2 4

2 U.S. 2 1 1 0 4 2 4

3 Nigeria 2 0 1 1 1 3 1

3 Sweden 2 0 1 1 1 3 1

Group ‘C’

P W D L F A Pts

1 Australia 1 1 0 0 4 1 3

2 Norway 1 1 0 0 2 1 3

3 Canada 1 0 0 1 1 2 0

4 Ghana 1 0 0 1 1 4 0

Group ‘D’

P W D L F A Pts

1 Brazil 1 1 0 0 5 0 3

2 China 1 1 0 0 3 2 3

3 Denmark 1 0 0 1 2 3 0

4 New Zealand 1 0 0 1 0 5 0

Monday’s fixtures (GMT)

Group ‘A’

England vs Argentina (1200)

Germany vs Japan (1200)

Playing on Saturday

Group ‘C’

Canada vs Ghana (0900)

Australia vs Norway (1200)

Group ‘D’

Denmark vs New Zealand (0900)

Brazil vs China (1200)

—Agencies