Egypt 2009 is shaping up nicely indeed. The fixtures for the quarter finals - starting today - read as follows:
Germany - Brazil
The Europeans got here by the skin of their teeth at the expense of Nigeria. Many people think Brazil would continue their winning streak when they meet. Some have even said the Seleçao are not operating at full power. When they do, i dont want to be the opposing team. But dont discount that fighting spirit that has seen Der Mannschaft come this far.
Italy - Costa Rica
If I were Italian, the fact that the CONCACAF champions have come this far would put the fear of God in me. With a healthy run in the tournament, Italy may yet be stopped by the slick counter-attacking football of the the Costa Ricans as well.
Ghana - South Korea
Kicking off at 1430GMT, this is a game of two teams that have got this far by contrasting means. Ghana started nicely with two wins against Uzbekistan and England, then stuttered to wins over Uruguay and South Africa.
The Taegu Warriors of Korea came out of the blocks badly with a 0-2 loss to Cameroon but came back strongly to draw with Germany and sped their way to two wins in their final games.
Ghana have never lost to Asian opposition at this level and indeed it's the first time the two sides are playing in any under 20 championships. All this - plus the fact that Korea's only defeat in Egypt came from an African team - gives us what should be a fantastic game of football.
More on the other games later.
Showing posts with label under 20 world cup. Show all posts
Showing posts with label under 20 world cup. Show all posts
Thursday, October 08, 2009
Wednesday, October 07, 2009
Videos: Costa Rica, Ghana, Hungary, Italy through
6/10/2009: Egypt 0 - 2 Costa Rica
Goals from: Jose Mena, Marcos Urena (Costa Rica)
6/10/2009: Ghana 2 - South Africa 1
Goals from: Kermit Erasmus (RSA), Andre Ayew, Dominic Adiyiah(GHA)
6/10/2009: Hungary 2*-2 Czech Republic
Goals from: Mate Kiss, Vladimir Koman (HUN), AJan Voshalik, Michael Rabusic (CZE)
More videos as and when they come.
Goals from: Jose Mena, Marcos Urena (Costa Rica)
6/10/2009: Ghana 2 - South Africa 1
Goals from: Kermit Erasmus (RSA), Andre Ayew, Dominic Adiyiah(GHA)
6/10/2009: Hungary 2*-2 Czech Republic
Goals from: Mate Kiss, Vladimir Koman (HUN), AJan Voshalik, Michael Rabusic (CZE)
More videos as and when they come.
Sunday, October 04, 2009
Videos: Satellites win + more
Sorry for the protracted absence. Severe case of non-availability. I really wanted to blog about the issues of the moment but hey....
The U-20 world cup is still on. And as usual, I got the videos from the past few days of matches. Enjoy!
3/10/2009: UAE 0 - 2 Hungary
Goals from: Krisztian Nemeth, Vladimir Koman (Hun).
3/10/2009: South Africa - Honduras
Goals from: Andile Jali and Sibusiso Khumalo (SA).
3/10/2009: Costa Rica 2 - 3 Czech
Goals from: D. Estrada, J. Martinez (COS), Jan Chramosta (twice), and Jan Voshalik.
3/10/2009: Australia 1 - 3 Brazil
Goals from: Aaron Mooy (AUS) and Ciro, Douglas Costa, Paulo Henrique (BRA)
1/10/2009: Venezuela 0-3 Spain
Goals from: Dani Parejo, Aaron Niguez and Ander Herrera (ESP)
1/10/2009: Italy 2-4 Egypt
Goals from: Ahmed Shoukri and Bogy (EGY)
1/10/2009: Trinidad & Tobago 0 - Paraguay 0
1/10/2009: Tahiti 0 - Nigeria 5
The U-20 world cup is still on. And as usual, I got the videos from the past few days of matches. Enjoy!
3/10/2009: UAE 0 - 2 Hungary
Goals from: Krisztian Nemeth, Vladimir Koman (Hun).
3/10/2009: South Africa - Honduras
Goals from: Andile Jali and Sibusiso Khumalo (SA).
3/10/2009: Costa Rica 2 - 3 Czech
Goals from: D. Estrada, J. Martinez (COS), Jan Chramosta (twice), and Jan Voshalik.
3/10/2009: Australia 1 - 3 Brazil
Goals from: Aaron Mooy (AUS) and Ciro, Douglas Costa, Paulo Henrique (BRA)
1/10/2009: Venezuela 0-3 Spain
Goals from: Dani Parejo, Aaron Niguez and Ander Herrera (ESP)
1/10/2009: Italy 2-4 Egypt
Goals from: Ahmed Shoukri and Bogy (EGY)
1/10/2009: Trinidad & Tobago 0 - Paraguay 0
1/10/2009: Tahiti 0 - Nigeria 5
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Video: Germany 1-1 South Korea + Ghana game won't be on telly + team news.
29/09/09: Germany 1-1 South Korea
Germany have just drawn 1-1 with South Korea in the under 20 world cup. This means that Korea must win their match with the USA on Friday, especially as Cameroun beat the Asians 2-0 in the opening game. Here are videos of the goals from, first, Richard Sukuta-Pasu (GER) and Min Woo Kim (KOR)
No show
In the meantime, Ghana would be playing England later tonight. Unfortunately, none of Ghana's terrestrial broadcasters would be able to show the game. They say Canal France International, who gives them the feed, has opted to show the Uefa Champions' League games rather than the under 20s for tonight.
It makes economic sense if you ask me, as the UCL will give them far bigger audiences and revenue. So there. If you really wanna watch the Ghana game, you gotta switch to one of the cable broadcasters.
I bet DSTV will be rolling over with laughter!
Even though we're not sure about how we may watch the game,we are sure about the team Sellas Tetteh would field:
Daniel Adjei (GK), Samuel Inkoom, David Addy, Jonathan Mensah, Daniel Addo (DFs), Rabiu Mohammed, Agyemang Badu, Opoku Agyemang, Dede Ayew (MFs), Dominic Adiyah, Ransford Osei (FWs).
He's keeping faith with the team that beat the Uzbeks. All the best for the Ghana lads!
Germany have just drawn 1-1 with South Korea in the under 20 world cup. This means that Korea must win their match with the USA on Friday, especially as Cameroun beat the Asians 2-0 in the opening game. Here are videos of the goals from, first, Richard Sukuta-Pasu (GER) and Min Woo Kim (KOR)
No show
In the meantime, Ghana would be playing England later tonight. Unfortunately, none of Ghana's terrestrial broadcasters would be able to show the game. They say Canal France International, who gives them the feed, has opted to show the Uefa Champions' League games rather than the under 20s for tonight.
It makes economic sense if you ask me, as the UCL will give them far bigger audiences and revenue. So there. If you really wanna watch the Ghana game, you gotta switch to one of the cable broadcasters.
I bet DSTV will be rolling over with laughter!
Even though we're not sure about how we may watch the game,we are sure about the team Sellas Tetteh would field:
Daniel Adjei (GK), Samuel Inkoom, David Addy, Jonathan Mensah, Daniel Addo (DFs), Rabiu Mohammed, Agyemang Badu, Opoku Agyemang, Dede Ayew (MFs), Dominic Adiyah, Ransford Osei (FWs).
He's keeping faith with the team that beat the Uzbeks. All the best for the Ghana lads!
The African challenge is dying + Ortega to miss Ghana friendly.
Four African countries entered the Under 20 World Cup last week, now it seems that number may be whittled down.
With Nigeria's poor showing against Spain (they lost 2-0) they are surely going home. The Flying Eagles can also not count on mathematical calculations because Venezuela have thumped Haiti by - yes you guessed it - 8 goals to zilch.
Samson Siasia is seen as the messiah of Nigerian football. He led this team to third place in the African Youth Championships in Rwanda earlier this year. And before that he had taken his country to a fine stint in Holland 2005 Under 20 World Cup. To further cement his reputation, he did so well in last year's Olympics, finishing second.
But now, the honeymoon is well and truly over. Against Venezuela we may say that Siasia was at the wrong end of a refereeing decision by Roberto Rossetti when Lukman Haruna was sent off. It took the South America's just a few minutes to capitalise on their numerical advantage. But still, they wanted good chances.
So, what about Spain? Like their first game, Nigeria failed to convert several scoring chances and paid for it. This kind of attitude is quite symptomatic of all the African teams in this championship.
Take South Africa. You have a healthy 2-0 lead by the 72nd minute and because you have a red card, you concede two goals, one in the 90-something minute? Really? And they claim they are building players who'll possibly play in 2010. Pooh!
And then we come to Ghana. The Satellites won 2-1, yes. But HOW did they win? After coming from a goal down. Don't get me wrong, they showed character by so doing. Yeah, but how's this for character:
I spoke to my colleague Rasheedat Kadiri in Egypt and according to her, the General Secretary of the GFA said after the Uzbek game that "they had underestimated the quality of the opposition."
I mean, come on. When would African teams learn that in a WORLD CUP, you play the BEST in the WORLD? Naivete is what would kill African teams. I would love to hear a World Cup game at any level where an African team wins 5-0 or more.
That would be the day. But till then, they gotta be more ruthless.
* Anyway, Ghana's local Black Stars are scheduled to play Diego Maradona's Argentina today in Cordoba. One man I was looking to see play is Ariel Ortega. He's been a favourite of mine since the old days. Sadly, 'El Burrito' won't feature because of an injury he's sustained.
Argentina Squad:
Goalkeepers: Diego Pozo (Colon de Santa Fe) and Cristian Campestrini (Arsenal)
Defenders: Matias Caruzzo (Argentinos), Ignacio Canuto (Argentinos), Rolando Schiavi (Newell's), Juan Manuel Insaurralde (Newell's), Cristian Villagra (River Plate), Clemente Rodriguez (Estudiantes) and Fabian Monzon (Boca Juniors)
Midfielders: Rodrigo Brana (Estudiantes), Enzo Perez (Estudiantes), Leonel Vangioni (Newell's), Federico Insua (Boca Juniors), Jesus Mendez (Rosario Central) and Mario Bolatti (Huracan)
Strikers: Gabriel Hauche (Argentinos), Martin Palermo (Boca Juniors), Nicolas Gaitan (Boca Juniors), Mauro Boselli (Estudiantes) and Luis Rodriguez (Atletico Tucuman)
With Nigeria's poor showing against Spain (they lost 2-0) they are surely going home. The Flying Eagles can also not count on mathematical calculations because Venezuela have thumped Haiti by - yes you guessed it - 8 goals to zilch.
Samson Siasia is seen as the messiah of Nigerian football. He led this team to third place in the African Youth Championships in Rwanda earlier this year. And before that he had taken his country to a fine stint in Holland 2005 Under 20 World Cup. To further cement his reputation, he did so well in last year's Olympics, finishing second.
But now, the honeymoon is well and truly over. Against Venezuela we may say that Siasia was at the wrong end of a refereeing decision by Roberto Rossetti when Lukman Haruna was sent off. It took the South America's just a few minutes to capitalise on their numerical advantage. But still, they wanted good chances.
So, what about Spain? Like their first game, Nigeria failed to convert several scoring chances and paid for it. This kind of attitude is quite symptomatic of all the African teams in this championship.
This kind of attitude is quite symptomatic of all the African teams in this championship...and it should stop!
Take South Africa. You have a healthy 2-0 lead by the 72nd minute and because you have a red card, you concede two goals, one in the 90-something minute? Really? And they claim they are building players who'll possibly play in 2010. Pooh!
And then we come to Ghana. The Satellites won 2-1, yes. But HOW did they win? After coming from a goal down. Don't get me wrong, they showed character by so doing. Yeah, but how's this for character:
I spoke to my colleague Rasheedat Kadiri in Egypt and according to her, the General Secretary of the GFA said after the Uzbek game that "they had underestimated the quality of the opposition."
I mean, come on. When would African teams learn that in a WORLD CUP, you play the BEST in the WORLD? Naivete is what would kill African teams. I would love to hear a World Cup game at any level where an African team wins 5-0 or more.
That would be the day. But till then, they gotta be more ruthless.
* Anyway, Ghana's local Black Stars are scheduled to play Diego Maradona's Argentina today in Cordoba. One man I was looking to see play is Ariel Ortega. He's been a favourite of mine since the old days. Sadly, 'El Burrito' won't feature because of an injury he's sustained.
Argentina Squad:
Goalkeepers: Diego Pozo (Colon de Santa Fe) and Cristian Campestrini (Arsenal)
Defenders: Matias Caruzzo (Argentinos), Ignacio Canuto (Argentinos), Rolando Schiavi (Newell's), Juan Manuel Insaurralde (Newell's), Cristian Villagra (River Plate), Clemente Rodriguez (Estudiantes) and Fabian Monzon (Boca Juniors)
Midfielders: Rodrigo Brana (Estudiantes), Enzo Perez (Estudiantes), Leonel Vangioni (Newell's), Federico Insua (Boca Juniors), Jesus Mendez (Rosario Central) and Mario Bolatti (Huracan)
Strikers: Gabriel Hauche (Argentinos), Martin Palermo (Boca Juniors), Nicolas Gaitan (Boca Juniors), Mauro Boselli (Estudiantes) and Luis Rodriguez (Atletico Tucuman)
Monday, September 28, 2009
Videos: Egypt 2009 - The goals so far
24/Sept/09: Egypt 4-1 Trinidad and Tobago
Goals from: Moustafa Afroto, Hussam Arafat (twice), Mohamed (EGYPT) and Jean Lus Rochford (T&T).
25/09/09: Paraguay 0-0 Italy
25/09/09: Nigeria 0-1 Venezuela
Goal from: Jonathan Del Valle (VEN)
25/09/09: Spain 8-0 Tahiti
Goals from: Aaron Niguez, Emilio Nsue and Kike (all twice), Fran Merida, Ander Herrera (ESP)
26/09/09: England 0-1 Uruguay
Goals from: Tabare Viudez (URU)
26/09/09: USA 0-3 Germany
Goals from: Semih Aydilek, Florian Jungwirth, Manuel Schaeffler.
26/09/09: Cameroun 2-0 South Korea
Goals from: Akono Effa, Tiko.
UPDATE:
27/09/09: Brazil 5-0 Costa Rica
Goals from: Alan Kardec (twice), Giuliano, Alex Teixeira, Baquita
27/09/09: South Africa 2-2 UAE
Goals from: Kermit Erasmus (twice, RSA), H.A. Kamali, T. Awana (UAE)
27/09/09: Honduras 3-0 Hungary
Goals from: M. Martinez, A. Peralta
27/09/09: Czech Republic 2-1 Australia
Goals from: M. Rabusic, T. Pekhart (CZE), J. Holland (AUS)
28/09/09: Nigeria 0 - Spain 2
Goals from: Fran Merida (twice)
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Video: Ghana beat Uzbekistan + was it convincing?
The Satellites went into the game with the nation feeling that a loss was impossible. All the talk was of how Ghana could find their rhythm against the Asians, not about how they would give a scare.
Yet, that is what happened. The Asians went ahead through their skipper before the typical poacher's strike came from Ransford Osei's foot. And then the hope was back. Ghana played like demons were after them, steadily threading passes together and putting things in order.
The pressure paid off and Dominic Adiyiah did the trick. But there are questions about the Satellites spirit against more formidable opponents. Can they afford such laxity against England? I doubt.
Adiyiah was quite suspect and with the exception of his goal, he was not too good for me. As for captain Dede Ayew, a sterner referee may not have been too lenient with the way he kept falling so easily (and sometimes so theatrically.)
After this narrow win, some are calling for Gladson Awako to replace Opoku Agyemang.
Well, maybe Sellas would know what to tell them before the next game with England on the 29th (Tuesday)
Yet, that is what happened. The Asians went ahead through their skipper before the typical poacher's strike came from Ransford Osei's foot. And then the hope was back. Ghana played like demons were after them, steadily threading passes together and putting things in order.
The pressure paid off and Dominic Adiyiah did the trick. But there are questions about the Satellites spirit against more formidable opponents. Can they afford such laxity against England? I doubt.
Adiyiah was quite suspect and with the exception of his goal, he was not too good for me. As for captain Dede Ayew, a sterner referee may not have been too lenient with the way he kept falling so easily (and sometimes so theatrically.)
After this narrow win, some are calling for Gladson Awako to replace Opoku Agyemang.
Well, maybe Sellas would know what to tell them before the next game with England on the 29th (Tuesday)
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Satellites gearing up for Egypt: what's the use, really?
Starting today, Ghana’s national Under-20 team, the Black Satellites, will start a friendly invitational tournament in Egypt.
They’ll use it to oil their wheels after they’ve been dormant for so long.
The whole thing is a five-team, four-day tournament that’ll end on the 25th of this month.
The team are playing at the same venues in September for the World Youth Cup. They start with Nigeria in their opening game. Egypt will play Guatemala in the opener.
Then tomorrow, Ghana play Guatemala before they take on Egypt on Friday.
But what use is a tournament if the players who would play the world cup would not be there, I ask you.
Read Ransford Osei, Sadick Adams, Daniel Opare and others. The team’s preps have been poor, admittedly with a proposed tour of South Africa cancelled, a five-match tour of Venezuela following the same route and the last-minute termination of that anticipated two-match trip to South Korea also going kaput.
Tuesday, July 07, 2009
Nigeria gets ready for the under 20 World Cup
Nigeria's Under-21 side have chosen Qatar as their base for preparations ahead of the FIFA U-20 World Cup slated for Egypt in September.
The squad is coached by ex-Super Eagles midfielder, Samson Siasia.
According to cafonline.com, a 29-member delegation made up of players, technical and medical staff will leave for Doha, Qatar tomorrow before travelling to Cairo, Egypt ten days later to participate in a four-nation tournament.
The Flying Eagles will return to Doha after the tournament to wrap up preparations for the global championship.
The training programme was established through an agreement between the Nigeria Football Federation and Qatar-based Aspire Academy for Sports Excellence.
The Flying Eagles, bronze medallists at the continental championship held in Rwanda in January this year, have been paired alongside Spain, Tahiti and Venezuela for the September 25 to October 16 competition
Sunday, July 05, 2009
Sellas Tetteh moved by Satellites zeal
Hi all. No blog yesterday. I'm back today.
The coach of the Black Satellites knows that Ghana’s confidence in his team has waned.
After the 5-3 loss to the Amajita of South Africa last month, the African under 20 side has taken some flak for their dismal run in recent friendly international matches.
Yet the coach has defended his side insisting that the friendlies have enhanced cohesion and team spirit.
“The two mishaps have given me a large scope to assess the players and how they are faring in camp.
“I must say they have responded well and I think we are on course”
The team was billed to play two international tournaments in Venezuela and Qatar. Both games have capitulated, unfortunately.
Tetteh should have the full complement of his squad by the end of next week. Don’t forget that they are preparing for the World Youth Championships in Egypt in September.
___
The coach of the Black Satellites knows that Ghana’s confidence in his team has waned.
After the 5-3 loss to the Amajita of South Africa last month, the African under 20 side has taken some flak for their dismal run in recent friendly international matches.
Yet the coach has defended his side insisting that the friendlies have enhanced cohesion and team spirit.
“The two mishaps have given me a large scope to assess the players and how they are faring in camp.
“I must say they have responded well and I think we are on course”
The team was billed to play two international tournaments in Venezuela and Qatar. Both games have capitulated, unfortunately.
Tetteh should have the full complement of his squad by the end of next week. Don’t forget that they are preparing for the World Youth Championships in Egypt in September.
___
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