U.S. group foes face off in final

• by Soccer America , Oct 11, 2012

[UNDER-17 WOMEN'S WORLD] That France and North Korea have reached Saturday's final of the Under-17 Women's World Cup takes a little of the sting out of the USA's first-round exit from the Azerbaijan-hosted tournament.

France and North Korea finished ahead of the USA on goal difference in their first-round group.

"We knew going into it we were in the Group of Death," said U.S. U-17 coach Albertin Montoya. "Three teams tied with five points. Only conceded one goal and we don’t go through. But that’s how it goes."

The USA tied both North Korea and France but mustered only a 6-0 win over Gambia while North Korea and France beat Gambia 11-0 and 10-2, respectively.

For France, it marks the first time it has advanced to the championship game of a FIFA women's event. North Korea won the inaugural 2008 U-17 title and finished fourth two years ago.

FINAL
Oct. 13 in Baku
France vs. North Korea (ESPN3.com, 10:40 am ET; Univision Deportes, 10:30 am ET)

THIRD-PLACE GAME
Oct. 13 in Baku
Germany vs. Ghana (ESPN3.com, 7:40 am ET)

Go here for the YouthSoccerInsider's interview with Montoya.