Fifa - U20 World Cup - Argentina

Good to see our lad scoring - sure Barca will only increase their interested!

I noticed Honduras had 2 sent off which didn't help but still to lose 12-0...

 

In all likelihood a yes reids. Honduras have been shocking in this tournament. I would expect better of them despite CONACAF qualification being a bit of a joke. NZ have been impressive with a scattering of juniors playing in European academies. Notably the Dutch diaspora there have produced three of their players. Not an easy game for Colombia.

 

Crazy game between South Korea and Senegal.

Koreans equalised in the 98th minute of normal time then Senegal score in the 120th minute to take the game to penalties.

Latter go 2 up in the shoot out but end up losing 3-2 with the vital winning kick having to be re-taken!

 

Official website of the 2023 edition of the u20 World Cup.

FIFA U-20 World Cup Argentina 2023™

A tournament which has seen numerous players of note emerge on to the world stage. It's become a recognized route for national teams to use to prepare their players for tournament football. However due to the World Cup last December and the extension of the season in Europe many players notably from that part of the world and South America will not be available which is a huge shame. FIFA having withdrawn the tournament rights from Indonesia due to their refusal to accommodate Israel could have moved the event further back having given it to Argentina into their late autumn.

The four venues are scattered across Argentina. With three relatively new stadiums in Estero near Tucuman, La Plata the home of Gimnasia and Estudiantes, San Juan and an older open bowl in Mendoza. The tournament well attended as usual by socuting teams from around the world commences on the 20th with fixtures in Group A between Guatemala and NZ and the hosts versus Uzbekistan. Group B also commences on the same day with an intriguing tie between the US and rapidly improving Ecuador.

 

Niko has been contacted by the Argentine FA several times and his options remain open. He has an Argentine father and he could well be an excellent option for the Albiceleste down the left along with Barco who will be in the Argentine squad. Both very comfortable on the ball having moved further and further back as their junior careers have developed. Good attacking instincts, good crossers of the ball, technically well developed, speedy and can go up and down all day.

Paez will also be at the u17 World Cup. There were some calls for Echeverri and Prestianni to be moved into the Argentina u20 squad but both should be in the u17 World Cup later this season unless Prestianni is nabbed over the summer by some ESL vulture. Hopefully not the case.

 

Is Gyabi's nickname Donnie in the dressing room ? Aaron Ramsey regen as well. Unsurprisingly most of this squad are from the ESL mob with a couple each from Leeds and Brentford. Gyabi was stolen from Millwall by those infamous cradle snatchers UAE, Humphreys from Reading and Vale from Fulham. Edwards and Scott will be moving this summer. Edwards will play for the Posh in the playoffs prior to joining the squad.

 

Think FIFA made a mess of this knowing that league seasons in Europe had been moved to a later date as a result of the winter World Cup. In the past you've had the cream of the crop (of the qualified teams that is) at the event. It is a showpiece and a good indicator as opposed to the u17 of future success at the international level for a nation although generally only 30% of u20 squad players make it to the senior team in the long run.

Argentina did try and call up Garnacho, Paz and Buonanotte. Buonanotte was only going to be released a day after the tournament started. Paz was not released by Real Madrid. They deem trying to get Castilla promoted to the Segunda more important and Garnacho is obviously the breakout player for that lot in Manchester. He'll definitely be called to the senior squad for the June friendlies with Australia in China. However given that the southern hemisphere football seasons are in full swing most team in South America have made sure that the clubs release the players wanted by the managers. So Barco will be given up by Boca for instance.

 

Penalty for Uzbekistan overturned via VAR. The referee then announced why it was overturned on his microphone linked to the stadium speakers as in the NFL. I think this is a trial for implementation into senior football.

 

Sound like a good idea .

 

Impressive win for the eaglets against Ecuador. They dominated the game for stretches. Argentina 'scraped' a 2-1 win over Uzbekistan. It would appear Mascherano is completely lost as a coach. Playing players out of position and a midfield that is unbalanced. Valentin Carboni of Internazionale and Brian Aguirre of Newell's were highly impressive.

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Veliz scored but missed another great chance. His work off the ball was abysmal. That needs a lot of work.

 

Looks like Colombia won with a late goal.

Our man played the whole game.

They seemed to play World cup like injury time!

 

It's a remote chance but if we could a try at Federico Redondo would not go amiss. Watching him is so reminiscent of his father in the way he addresses the ball and range of passing and intelligence of positioning. Has had a great season already for Argentinos Juniors in league and Libertadores. Amazingly Mascherano is using him sparingly as a sub but he's clueless so nothing to read into that.

NZ tied 2-2 with Uzbekistan after being 2-0 up and another emerging player 'market' for Watford to keep an eye on and Argentina beat Guatemala 3-0 with a player sent off from each side.

 

Asprilla scored a vital equaliser for Colombia last night as they won 2-1.

Video of his performance here.

https://twitter.com/VoicesOfTheVic/status/1661597335850213377

Sorry about the music accompanying it !

 

That Martins looks useful - maybe one for us ?



No doubt Asprilla will be catching the eye then.

Could play England next round .