Asian champion DPR Korea edged their African counterparts Nigeria 1-0 in the women's football match of the Beijing Olympic Games in Shenyang, Liaoning Province, on Wednesday.

The Koreans dominated the entire match and the African champions rarely caused any threat in front of the Asian's goal.

Forward Ri Kum Suk, who is captain of the team, chested down a cross from midfielder Ri Un Suk from the left in the 27th minute. The ball bounced into a Nigerian defender but midfielder Kim Kyong Hwa grasped the chance and fired home a brilliant goal.

In the 42nd minute, Ri Kum Suk was hauled down inside the box and the Koreans had chance to consolidate their lead. But her penalty mishit the net and slip to the left of the goal.

DPR Korea played with pace and rhythm in the second half and continued to exert pressure in front of the Nigerian goal with exact long passes and attacks from both sides.

The offensiveness of DPR Korea forced Nigerian goalkeeper Precious Dede to make more moves to amend the frequent loopholes in their defense line.

Nigeria's best moment came in the 71st minute when forward Cynthia Uwak nearly leveled the score in the melee.

Five minutes before the injury time, the Koreans menaced to score again after a few consecutive pinpoint passes. But their shot was beyond the crossbar.

Nigeria will face world champions Germany and DPR Korea will take on medal favorite Brazil on August 9.

(Xinhua News Agency August 6, 2008)