It was a legendary American who once remarked that reports of his death had been greatly exaggerated and, according to Kazbek Tambi, news of the demise of US women's football has been shown to be similarly embellished.

Many in the US will remember the gloom-laden post-morten that followed their team's crushing 4-0 defeat to Brazil in the FIFA Women's World Cup, a result that led some in the American media to conclude that their time as a superpower of the women's game had ended. Fast forward 13 months, however, and Tambi points out that USA has now contested both FIFA female finals this year, retaining their Olympic crown in Beijing before narrowly losing out to Korea DPR in yesterday's climax to New Zealand 2008.

That, the US coach believes, proves beyond doubt that, even as other nations advance rapidly, his country can reflect with pride on having preserved their pre-eminent status.

"The media are quick to jump on the moment," he observed. "When you lose a couple of games, they're quick to tell you that you're on your way down, and when you win a couple they tell you that you're the best in the world. The reality is always somewhere in between and, the way I see it, we've shown that we are still a very competitive soccer nation that continues to produce excellent players.

"The challenge now is simply that this is also true of many more countries than in the past. We seen that here with the Koreans, who keep getting stronger, and with Japan, who were an absolute revelation. It's a great tribute to the strength of women's football."

Tambi may be confident of USA continuing to slug it out with the heavyweights, but in the wake of Korea DPR adding the U-17 crown to the U-20 title won in Russia two years ago, he admits that he envisages the Asians emerging as women's football's newest Goliath.

If those players progress and fulfil their potential, I see no reason why their senior team won't be every bit as great in the next few years.

Kazbek Tambi on Korea DPR.

"They're a fantastic team and their recent record speaks for itself," he told FIFA.com. "To have won a World Cup at U-20s and now U-17s speaks volumes for them as a country and shows how good their youth programme must be. "

Gracious in defeat and full of praise for his side's Korean conquerors, Tambi remains extremely optimistic about the outlook for the young American team who came so close to glory in New Zealand. Indeed, he believes that the nation's senior team will soon be reaping the benefits of his players' Kiwi education.

"They've accomplished a lot here and, in experiencing a World Cup at 16, 17, they're going be way ahead of the game when it comes to pushing on to the next level," he said. "My belief is that our full team will become even stronger as a result over the next few years.

"To be only 13 minutes away from winning a World Cup and then see it slip away is obviously disappointing for all of us. But I can be nothing but proud of what our kids have done at this tournament. For them to start with a defeat and be on the brink of going out only to pull themselves out of that hole and go all the way to the final - that was a fantastic achievement. There's nothing but great things I can say about them."

It's not often a coach sounds this upbeat after his side have lost a major final, but as Tambi explained, his outlook is based on the experience of New Zealand 2008 as a whole. "It's been awesome for the girls and for me as a coach," he enthused. "We've gone through the full range of emotions - from misery to ecstasy all within a couple of weeks. I think only a World Cup can do that to you. We've loved it."

Victory at the inaugural edition of the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup has firmly established Korea DPR's status as superpowers of the women's game, a position exclusively held until now by the United States, Germany and to a lesser extent Brazil. Two years on from their triumph at the FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup in Russia, the Koreans have repeated the feat here at New Zealand 2008.

This double success underlines the tremendously gifted crop of players the country has produced in recent years, while two world title wins in what is undoubtedly a golden period in Korean women's football is sure to inspire future generations. Nor could the Asians' procession to the two coveted trophies be attributed in any way to good fortune. Choe Kwang Sok's Steel Rosebuds won all six of their matches at Russia 2006, conceding just once along the way. Meanwhile Ri Ui Ham's charges drew two of their six encounters here on Kiwi soil, both in the group stage, and won their other four on the way to a well-deserved world crown.

"Thanks to the results of our predecessors, since then we've had a reputation to live up to," said Korea DPR starlet Jon Myong Hwa in the wake of her side's semi-final win over England. "There's a great deal of expectation surrounding our side. I know we've got what it takes to meet those expectations because every minute we spend together on the pitch makes us grow as a team."

We came here with just one objective: to win the title,

Ri Ui Ham on realising am ambition.

Three days later and the task was complete, a mission masterminded by Ri Ui Ham. "We came here with just one objective: to win the title," said the Korean coach, the trophy in his arms. "That's what we trained for. We worked hard for a long time with that goal in mind and we arrived here in perfect condition. That work has paid off because we've improved with every game."

Quite so, as those who watched the North Koreans open their campaign with a discreet 1-1 draw against African hopefuls Ghana, a match they went very close to losing. Their next game was a solid 2-1 win over Costa Rica, before Jon Myong Hwa and Co rounded off the group stage with another 1-1 draw - fighting back to equalise after then tournament favourites Germany had grabbed their customary early goal. Buoyed by this performance the Asian champions put in a ruthless display in disposing of quarter-final opponents Denmark.

"They are very clinical. Every individual error you make against them leads to a goal," said Danish supremo Bent Eriksen, whose side were dismantled 4-0. "And they don't make any mistakes themselves. That being the case, it's difficult to even score against them, let alone beat them." Last-four opponents England did manage to find a way past Korea DPR keeper Hong Myong Hui, but the two first-half goals already conceded meant Rebecca Jane's 75th-minute strike was merely a late consolation.

The final obstacle in Korea DPR's path to the title was a physically powerful United States side, victors over the Germans in their semi-final. After conceding an unfortunate own goal by their usually reliable shotstopper within two minutes, the Korean girls showed their endless reserves of physical fitness and cool under pressure to turn the scoreline on its head and claim the first ever FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup title.

"It was a difficult game, as we'd expected," said victorious coach Ri after the final whistle. "But even though we went a goal down very early on, my players showed their strong character to come from behind and take the victory."

With the latest edition of the FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup set to begin in Chile in a matter of days, a second global title in just two years should provide a timely boost for holders Korea DPR. A strong showing is expected from the Steel Rosebuds on South American soil and, given the evidence of Russia 2006 and New Zealand 2008, another world youth success is a distinct possibility.