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Post by ovechkin8 on Jun 30, 2007 12:19:17 GMT -1
A real coup for the Canadian Federation who hope the tournament will spark more interest in a country whose religion is ice hockey. Many (usually from Europe) decry the tournament as a waste of time but it has thrown up its share of stars inc.latterly Ronaldinho & Messi & where Ashley Cole was earmarked as the future first team England full back. The favourites are once more Brazil just ahead of Argentina & Spain who will be fielding the likes of future Barca star Krkic(Serbian but opted for Spain), Merida & Barragan. This site has the full schedules ,squad lists & stadia. You can catch the games on Eurosport. www.fifa.com/u20worldcup/index.htmlEnjoy.  |
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Post by Peschi on Jun 30, 2007 17:40:36 GMT -1
Why is there Panama but no England  |
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Post by ovechkin8 on Jul 1, 2007 0:27:30 GMT -1
Its just like the big World Cup Peschi, except there are only 16 teams. So European qualifying is even tougher. Those are the rules & that's that unfortunately. I think they are considering expanding it to 32 teams but its still unclear. Anyway Brazil despite dominating their game against Poland who were a ma down lose 0-1. Argentina dominated against the Czech Republic (who are quite excellent at simulating & trying to break up the play) the Czechs playing most of the game in their own third. Impressed by Fazio playing at centre back and by Banega. Zarate & Aguero (whose lack of confidence is evident) missed the the two best chances. The Czechs did nearly pinch it at the end witha shocking pass by Fazio leading to a 3 on1 break with goalkeeper Romero stranded it took a last ditch sprint by Acosta to clear the ball. Liverpool fans would also be impressed by the performance of Insua (lovely darting run in the first half) & Mercado on the other flank. For the Czechs their centre forward Fenin impressed me most. Reminds me a great deal of a Zigic type figure. I guess you can catch highlights of each game at www.fifa.com/u20worldcup/index.htmlI'm off for a kip.  |
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Post by ovechkin8 on Jul 4, 2007 0:41:06 GMT -1
USA thump Poland 6-1 with an Adu hat trick.
Czechs draw 2-2 with a late equaliser from N.Korea. Argentina wallop Panama 6-0, 2 for Aguero & Moralez.
And Brazil from being 3-0 up are now 3-2 v S.Korea.
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Post by Neko Bazu on Jul 4, 2007 8:04:21 GMT -1
The Brazilian U20's aren't so hot - even Canada's U20's beat them not so long ago! The USA result sounds good though, and I guess Adu really is beginning to live up to his billing as one of the future big names (an international hat-trick at any age level is impressive). Football Soccer's ( ) really beginning to grow over there now, and while lots of the people couldn't name a single team in their league, the players are definitely improving. World Cup after the next, they'll be a force to be reckoned with, says I. |
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Post by ovechkin8 on Jul 4, 2007 10:41:16 GMT -1
I tell you what Neko America are doing well.
They played Argentina u17 recently & only went down 2-1 to a starlet studded line up whilst being the u17 in Korea 2-1 (albet this time round it was a virtual u17 C side Argentina fielded as the Clausura was in full swing).
Southampton fans might be upset to hear Bialkowski their yoing prospect was in goal &after a stunning effort against Brazil made some poor errors.
Argentina u20 play just like the seniors. Tremendous retention of the ball constant probing.
At times Banega looks like Riqulemes twin double albeit with more pace. Could have been 10/11-0 yesterday.
Spain should be in the hunt & never discount Brazil.
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Post by GresleyRam©®™ on Jul 6, 2007 21:46:16 GMT -1
Have heard some rave reviews about some kid from Brazil who is attracting every top club in Europe - i think he's known is Pato, but his real name is something like Da Silva?? Tim Vickery was waxing lyrical about him on talk Sport the other day saying he's better than Ronaldhino was at his age!  |
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Post by ovechkin8 on Jul 7, 2007 6:41:22 GMT -1
Yes Grez, thats Alexandre Rodrigues de Silav better known as Pato (the white duck)of Internacional.
He along with Lula who'll star at the u17s World Cup are extremely hot property.
Unfortunately Chelsea seem to be in pole position for Pato at present.
At the u20 WC Argentina squeezed past N.Korea 1-0 with an Aguero free kick.The Czechs pipped Panama 2-1 so both sides qualify for the next stage.
Shock horror.As if to re-emphasise Neko's point regarding the USA the defeated Brazil with two goals from Altidore which means Brazil are likely to be exiting this tournament.
With great disquiet over the style of football Brazil is playing( some Brazilians are even admitting they would prefer to see Argentina play) this is a blow for the 'masters' of the game.
Poland levelled with S.Korea. So the USA are definitely through to the next round.
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Post by ovechkin8 on Jul 8, 2007 7:17:22 GMT -1
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Post by ovechkin8 on Jul 13, 2007 10:42:00 GMT -1
The lucky buggers of Brazil are out. ;D Round of 16 results Austria 2-1 Gambia USA 2-1 Uruguay(10 men) Spain 4-2 Brazil (aet) Japan 2-2 Czech Republic (aet) (3-4 penalties) Chile 1-0 Portugal Zambia 1-2 Nigeria Argentina 3-1 Poland Mexico 3-0 Congo (10 men) QFs Argentina v Mexico Austria v USA Chile v Nigeria Spain v Czech Republic Goals from yesterday: www.fifa.com/u20worldcup/video/videolist.html |
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Post by ovechkin8 on Jul 15, 2007 11:47:32 GMT -1
2 upsets.
Spain lose to Czech Republic after penalties 1-1 at end of extra time. Spain deserved the win but emulated their senior side by failing to make the most of their potential.
USA lost to a dour Austrian side 1-2 .Tonight its Chile versus last tournaments finalists Nigeria & the former winners Argentina versus Mexico.
Expect two very tight contests.
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Post by ovechkin8 on Jul 16, 2007 0:43:38 GMT -1
Better news for Argentina in the u20 with a first half injury time winner from Moralez against Mexico.
A tight game with Argentina showing the more flowing football & di Maria really impressing.
Chile KO'd Nigeria 4-0 aet to set up an all South American semi .Austria & the Czech Republic face off in the other.
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Post by Neko Bazu on Jul 16, 2007 7:26:36 GMT -1
The US lost to Austria? Must admit, I didn't see that coming at all! Unsurprised that the Argies won it though; given 5-10 years, I honestly believe they could overtake Brazil as the 'masters' of the game. That's certainly where all the top young talent seems to come from nowadays! |
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Post by ovechkin8 on Jul 16, 2007 12:53:50 GMT -1
There's a great deal of talent unfortunately most of its upfront. Brazil are producing as well ,but the style they are playing is not conducive to playing skilled foot players. Smattering of individuals from Peru & Columbia etc etc. The new growth is the lesser African nations, Asia(theres an outstanding player from Tajikistan attracting a huge amount of interest who'll be at the u17 WC)& Oz. Argentina are very sucessful up to the age of 23 ie Olympics & then are only there or thereabouts. |
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Post by ovechkin8 on Jul 21, 2007 8:13:34 GMT -1
Final is tomorrow Argentina v Czech Republic.
Unfortunately Argentina will be without Cahais & Yacob suspended & di Maria, Escudero(who only played a few minutes in the tournament & was highly rated) & Zarate.
Still should have enough to beat a dull physical side. The surprise is that Spain should really have been in the final considering the number of chances squandered in their game against the Czechs.
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Post by ovechkin8 on Jul 22, 2007 20:21:23 GMT -1
Argentina champions again .After going behind to a Fenin strike Aguero repiled almost immediately from a superb through ball by Banega & Zarate cutin & his shot was allowed in rather weakly by the Czech keeper.
That the seventh title since 1979. Not bad at all. ;D
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