U.S. under-19 women

Woznuk, Rodriguez score early in dominant 3-0 victory over South Korea in world tourney.

PHUKET, Thailand (Thursday, November 11, 2004) -- Goals by midfielder Angie Woznuk and striker Amy Rodriguez in an early two-minute span, and a second-half tally by midfielder Sheree Gray sent the United States to a dominant3-0 decision over South Korea to open Group C of the Under-19 Women's World Championship this afternoon before 9,900 at Sarkul Stadium.

In the other Group C match, Russia surprised Spain 4-1. The Americans next play Russia on Sunday.

After a few shaky minutes to start the game, the Americans settled down and created numerous dangerous scoring chances. However, it was South Korea that nearly scored first when Gray needed to clear a Korean header of her goal-line

Led by Woznuk, an attacking midfielder, the U.S. assumed control while central defenders Becky Sauerbrunn and Rachel Buehler kept the back line organized.

"After the first five minutes, we did a good job of funneling them on defense and then varying the way we were attacking," U.S. coach Mark Krikorian said. "They took a good chance early in the game on a ball that Park Sun competed for in the air. After that, I thought our defending settled down and we were able to limit their chances and developed rhythm when we got the ball. Overall, I thought our performance was quite good and something to build upon."

The U.S. went ahead with Woznuk's penalty kick in the 15th minute after Gray slipped a perfect pass to the cutting forward Megan Rapinoe on the right side of the box. Rapinoe, faced with two closing defenders, cut sharply to the inside before being chopped down. Woznuk tucked her penalty attempt into the left corner for a 1-0 advantage.

"Our team played awesome," Woznuk said. "The defense did a great job of stepping up and not letting their forwards hold the ball. When we took possession, we could have done a little better, but we did well overall. We did a great job of getting in behind them. We had a lot of breakaways, but their goalie did well. She saved a lot of good shots."

Gray also started the next scoring sequence two minutes later with a solid tackle on defender Park Eun Sun above the American box, starting a U.S. counter-attack. The ball bounced to Wozuk, who sidestepped a defender and fed Rapinoe at midfield. The forward danced around another defender and released Rodriguez, playing in her first international match, on a breakaway.

Putting at least two steps on her defender over the 40 yards, Rodriguez raced in on goal and struck her shot through the legs of sliding goalkeeper Jun Min Kyung to make it 2-0.

"I can't even believe (the goal) happened," Rodriguez said. "Our midfielders and forwards worked really well together tonight. Our midfielders were reading our forwards runs and vice-versa and we were able to get behind them a bunch of times."

Rodriguez nearly scored again in the 19th minute on another breakaway, but as she tried to go around Kyung, the keeper snagged the ball off her foot. The Americans had at least three more solid chances to score before halftime, including a breakaway by Rapinoe who shot wide right in the 30th minute.

South Korea presented some danger shortly after intermission, but Ashlyn Harris made two of her three saves in close order, both with dives to her right.

The Americans came up empty after being awarded a second penalty kick in the 52nd minute for a hand ball on a retreating defender. Kyung dove to her right to stop Alexa Orand's PK try.

Ten minutes later, Orand sprinted into the left side of the penalty area, cut back and rolled a pass into the path of Woznuk who hit her shot well, only to see it pushed wide by a sprawling Kyung.

Midfielder Jen Redmond came on in the 70th minute and made an immediate impact, winning a ball near midfield before playing Rapinoe through on a breakaway. Kyung stopped Rapinoe who shot across the keeper's body.

The U.S went ahead 3-0 in the 72nd minute. Some nifty passing at the top of the box saw reserve midfielder Jen Redmond slip a ball to Rodriguez, who spun around her defender to the left. Rodriguez then played a cross on the ground to the far post where the crashing Gray roofed it into the net from five yards.

The Americans failed to cash-in on two close-in opportunities in the closing 10 minutes.

Yesterday, on the first day in Group A, Germany pasted Thailand 6-0 while Canada edged Australia 2-1. In Group B yesterday, China squeezed by Nigeria 1-0 and Brazil defeated Italy 2-1.

Referee: Antonia Kokotou (Greece). Assistant referees: Chrisoula Margariti (Greece), Anouk De Jong (Netherlands). Attendance: 9,900 at Sarkul Stadium at Phuket, Thailand. Weather: Breezy, cloudy, 91 degrees.