Netherlands, Canada Replace North Korea, Nigeria for 2006 Peace Queen Cup

Two changes have been made to the field for the 2006 Peace Queen Cup Korea as both North Korea and Nigeria have dropped out of the tournament.

CHICAGO (Oct. 11, 2006) – Two changes have been made to the field for the 2006 Peace Queen Cup Korea, being held Oct. 28-Nov. 4, in six South Korean cities, as both North Korea and Nigeria have dropped out of the tournament. The Netherlands will replace North Korea in Group B with the U.S., while Canada replaces Nigeria in Group A.

The U.S. team will travel to South Korea later this month for what will be the final matches for the USA before it enters the 2006 CONCACAF Women’s Gold Cup where the U.S. women will attempt to earn one of the region’s direct berths to the 2007 FIFA Women’s World Cup. The Americans will play their Women’s Gold Cup matches on Nov. 22 and 26 at The Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif.

There will be no changes in venues or kickoff times for the tournament as the replacement teams will be slotted directly into the schedule of the team’s they are replacing.

The USA opens Group B play against recent 2007 FIFA Women’s World Cup qualifiers Denmark on Oct. 29 in Kimhae, in the southeastern part of South Korea. The USA will then face Australia, another team in the 2007 FIFA Women’s World Cup, on Oct. 31 in Cheonan, outside of Seoul, before finishing group play against the Dutch on Nov. 2 in Suwon, also outside of Seoul. The championship match is on Nov. 4 in Seoul.

Group A features South Korea, Brazil, Italy and Canada. The stadiums in Seoul and Suwon were used for the 2002 FIFA World Cup. This will be the first trip to South Korea for the U.S. Women’s National Team, but the U.S. men played all of their 2002 FIFA World Cup matches in South Korea.

2006 Peace Cup Groups
Group A
South Korea
Brazil
Canada
Italy

Group B
Australia
Netherlands
Denmark
USA

2006 Peace Cup Schedule
October 28                               Venue
South Korea vs. Brazil            Seoul
Italy vs. Canada                       Seoul

October 29                               Venue
Australia vs. Netherlands     Kimhae
USA vs. Denmark                  Kimhae

October 30                              Venue
Brazil vs. Italy                          Masan
South Korea vs. Canada      Masan

October 31                               Venue
USA vs. Australia                   Cheonan
Netherlands vs. Denmark   Cheonan

Nov. 1                                       Venue
Brazil vs. Canada                   Changwon
South Korea vs. Italy              Changwon

Nov. 2                                       Venue
Australia vs. Denmark          Suwon
USA vs. Netherlands             Suwon

Nov. 4                                       Venue
Championship Game          Seoul