KEY POINTS:
American defender Crystal Dunn has played a huge part in helping her team win through to tomorrow's final but she will not, whatever the outcome, be named player of the tournament.
Fifa yesterday released a list of seven players in line to win the coveted adidas Golden Ball but the outstanding Dunn was not among them.
Five of the chosen players will not be playing in the final including Japan's Mana Iwabuchi and Chinatsu Kira who did not progress beyond the quarter-finals. Also considered good enough to be in line for the award but missing from the inaugural Fifa Under-17 Women's World Cup final at North Harbour Stadium are Germans Valeria Kleiner and sharp-shooting Dzsenifer Marozsan and England captain Jordan Nobbs.
The only contenders who will play the tournament finale are North Korean striker Jon Myong Hwa and American Kristie Mewis.
The winner, to be judged by accredited media, must come from the Fifa-supplied list.
Finding the winner of the Golden Boot is not subjective, with five players still in the running.
Marozsan, who would have reinforced her claims for both awards had Germany won through to the final, goes into the final day with six goals - one more than American striker Vicki DiMartino and two ahead Courtney Verloo (United States) and Jon. All play tomorrow. Kira, also on four, does not.
The final is a clash of two heavyweights in the women's game.
For the US it is the chance to win this inaugural tournament and add that trophy to those won at all other levels - the Women's World Cup, Olympic gold and Under-20 World Cup. They have won the inaugural tournaments at all levels.
For North Korea the match is the chance to extend their unbeaten run extending back to their triumph in the Asian qualifiers. The only unbeaten team at this tournament, they have the chance to add the under-17 crown to their 2006 under-20 title in Russia. The Koreans, Germans and Norwegians are the only countries other the US to have had their hands on the silverware in women's soccer.
The final promises plenty.
In coming from a goal down and scoring twice in the last 12 minutes, the US beat the favoured Germans 2-1 to show they can never be discounted.
The Koreans took an early lead against England in their semifinal, stretched it to 2-0 by halftime and then had to withstand a stirring fightback before getting home by the same score.
With both teams showing their desire to attack, this promises to be another exciting game in a tournament which has produced some outstanding football.
Given their experience and their knack of scoring goals at crucial times, the US will start slight favourites but the Koreans will point to their outstanding defensive record, just four goals conceded in five games to the American's eight, as the reason why they will win.
Germany and England will battle for pride in the bronze match.
Final:
* North Korea v United States
* North Harbour Stadium, 4pm tomorrow.
3rd-4th play-off
* England v Germany
* North Harbour Stadium, 1pm tomorrow.
