2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup - Page 3 - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

Locke · 07-03-2007, 01:26 PM

Alright. Todays Games:

Brazil vs Korea Rep.

I have to say, I think this one is going to go to Brazil in a big way. Watching this Korea team play against the USA they had speed and skill and played the whole game at high pace. Only their finishing was lacking so that they were unlucky to not take all 3 points.

This is going to work in Brazil's favour. If they want to play that open style of play then Brazil will play along, Brazil simply got shut down by a tight checking hard-nosed defense that Brazil can usually crack, but it just wasnt their day.

USA vs Poland

I say the Poland takes this one much the same way they took the one against Brazil. The US have a really good chance to win this, but they have to finish their chances on free kicks and the counter-attack. I simply think that the Polish defense is going to put on another clinic. If the US wants to win this, their best bet is to score on a free kick or win a penalty shot. Unfortunately they know this so that might lead to some theatricality. Hopefully that doesnt happen.

Czech vs Korea DPR

I have to go with the Czechs. I originally thought the Koreans could take this one, but because no one in this group has scored a goal I think the Czechs will be the first, the wakeup call has come already. They have a very talented team that played a cagey game against a really good Argentina.

I have to say I was surprised that the Czech/Argentina game didnt have any goals. Very unlike these two teams that typically favour an almost Run and Gun attitude.

Panama vs Argentina

Need I say it? I think Argentina is going to come away with this one because their quality on almost every front is going to shine through. I dont know if its going to be a blowout or a 1-0 steal. Thats the question.

Lets see how I do.

Feel free to chime in your thoughts.

BTW the commentators for this tournament are nothing short of excellent. Craig Forrest and his partner from the Portugal/New Zealand game should apply for jobs with GOLTV so my blood pressure can return to civilized levels.

Locke.

GirlySports · 07-03-2007, 01:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Locke

Alright. Todays Games:

Brazil vs Korea Rep.

I have to say, I think this one is going to go to Brazil in a big way. Watching this Korea team play against the USA they had speed and skill and played the whole game at high pace. Only their finishing was lacking so that they were unlucky to not take all 3 points.

This is going to work in Brazil's favour. If they want to play that open style of play then Brazil will play along, Brazil simply got shut down by a tight checking hard-nosed defense that Brazil can usually crack, but it just wasnt their day.

USA vs Poland

I say the Poland takes this one much the same way they took the one against Brazil. The US have a really good chance to win this, but they have to finish their chances on free kicks and the counter-attack. I simply think that the Polish defense is going to put on another clinic. If the US wants to win this, their best bet is to score on a free kick or win a penalty shot. Unfortunately they know this so that might lead to some theatricality. Hopefully that doesnt happen.

Czech vs Korea DPR

I have to go with the Czechs. I originally thought the Koreans could take this one, but because no one in this group has scored a goal I think the Czechs will be the first, the wakeup call has come already. They have a very talented team that played a cagey game against a really good Argentina.

I have to say I was surprised that the Czech/Argentina game didnt have any goals. Very unlike these two teams that typically favour an almost Run and Gun attitude.

Panama vs Argentina

Need I say it? I think Argentina is going to come away with this one because their quality on almost every front is going to shine through. I dont know if its going to be a blowout or a 1-0 steal. Thats the question.

Lets see how I do.

Feel free to chime in your thoughts.

BTW the commentators for this tournament are nothing short of excellent. Craig Forrest and his partner from the Portugal/New Zealand game should apply for jobs with GOLTV so my blood pressure can return to civilized levels.

Locke.

Agree with everything except I think Korea Rep. will give Brazil fits. This Brazillian team has no speed and just can't score. Plus it is muggy in the BIG OWE so the Koreans have more energy.

And also agree that the commentators have been excellent.
Gary Bloom and John Helm are hired by FIFA so they do the international English feed for every FIFA event including last years World Cup so they will sound familiar. Forrest read the play better than most keepers during his playing days so commentary for him is very simple.

And also the first match where Steve Armitage and his partner did the Brazil game were good too. I know Armitage isn't a common soccer broadcaster and we make fun of him alot during HNIC but listening to him is nostagic and reminds me of CBC's coverage of the 1982 and 1986 world cups.

Better than anything from the US for sure. All English broadcasts on GolTv or ESPN are absolutely unbearable.

Locke · 07-03-2007, 02:04 PM

Is anyone else upset that they play all these games on CBC Country Canada, a channel I've never heard of, and then they had a free preview for it on Shaw Digital that ended yesterday, so now I have to buy it if I want to watch all the games live? I only want it for soccer, I'm reasonably certain its a fairly sub-par channel the rest of the time like most CBC specialty stuff.

ricoFlame · 07-03-2007, 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Locke

Is anyone else upset that they play all these games on CBC Country Canada, a channel I've never heard of, and then they had a free preview for it on Shaw Digital that ended yesterday, so now I have to buy it if I want to watch all the games live? I only want it for soccer, I'm reasonably certain its a fairly sub-par channel the rest of the time like most CBC specialty stuff.

yeah, this country canada crap is really starting to get to me too. i don't want that channel, so stop putting coverage of sporting events on on it! dang.

FlamingLonghorn · 07-03-2007, 05:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Locke

Alright. Todays Games:

USA vs Poland

I say the Poland takes this one much the same way they took the one against Brazil. The US have a really good chance to win this, but they have to finish their chances on free kicks and the counter-attack. I simply think that the Polish defense is going to put on another clinic. If the US wants to win this, their best bet is to score on a free kick or win a penalty shot. Unfortunately they know this so that might lead to some theatricality. Hopefully that doesnt happen.

Locke.

Um... I think Poland forgot to show up....

ricoFlame · 07-03-2007, 06:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sowa

Um... I think Poland forgot to show up....

ha, yeah...massacre.

Addick · 07-04-2007, 01:03 AM

OMG! I just finished watching the South Korea/Brazil game and that was the best flippin' match of the tournament so far! The football was lovely and the ending suspenseful. I nearly broke my bloody ankle jumping up and down after Korea notched their second! BTW, I feel embarrassed for the Polish nation...

Locke · 07-04-2007, 01:48 AM

Poland/USA

Call me surprised. USA played a game that I would have thought beyond their capabilities. They made their chances count and thats what had been hampering them all the time. They played well, and created chances, it was just that their chances never came to anything. Today they showed finishing.

We also saw the dichotomy of the sport. Poland showed up when it was the best team in the world. Everyone came to play and knew it was going to be war. When they played the US they thought the 3 points were in the bank. USA punished them for it, and good on them. Thats how you assert some authority.

Poland thought this was a sure thing. The USA went up early and then put their foot on the gas. Awesome, they never looked back. I never thought I'd see a performance like this from the US, they usually get a lead and protect the hell out of it.

Poland played okay, but nothing better than that. I'd bet that at their best Poland would still have lost. The US was an inspired team tonight. This is fairly high praise from me, as I'm not a big fan of US soccer, but their achievement tonight is undeniable, thoroughly impressive. That was an awesome game to watch.

Alright. Brazil/Korea.

Great game, although the Brazilians showed their talent, and their youth in the same game. They obliterated Korea, and then hit the brakes. I dont know why. They were in their zone, the style of play suited them well, and then all of a sudden, they let Korea back into it. Thats the inexperience. Great game. It had me at the edge of my seat the whole time.

Locke's score tonight: 2-1-1.

Not bad, would have been 3-1-0 if that Czech defender hadn't blatantly fouled the Korean in the box. They'll have to work on that.

Lets see how tomorrow goes.....I cant wait.....

Locke.

ricoFlame · 07-04-2007, 04:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Addick

OMG! I just finished watching the South Korea/Brazil game and that was the best flippin' match of the tournament so far! The football was lovely and the ending suspenseful. I nearly broke my bloody ankle jumping up and down after Korea notched their second! BTW, I feel embarrassed for the Polish nation...

Korean football has really started to produce some great play in recent times. fun to watch at all levels

GirlySports · 07-04-2007, 08:16 AM

[quote=Locke;932075]
Not bad, would have been 3-1-0 if that Czech defender hadn't blatantly fouled the Korean in the box. They'll have to work on that.

[quote]

Not only was it a silly foul, the penalty WAS SAVED but rebounded right back to the shooter who had a tap-in. That hurts.

troutman · 07-04-2007, 10:18 AM

Watched the BRA/KOR game. There are some crazy haircuts on that KOR team. And, I think FIFA should be checking birth certificates - some of these players in the tournament can't be under 20 IMO.

Locke · 07-04-2007, 10:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by troutman

Watched the BRA/KOR game. There are some crazy haircuts on that KOR team. And, I think FIFA should be checking birth certificates - some of these players in the tournament can't be under 20 IMO.

I was thinking of making a wise-crack about the ease of obtaining fake Korean birth certificates, but I think I'll leave that can of worms alone...

GirlySports · 07-04-2007, 01:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by troutman

Watched the BRA/KOR game. There are some crazy haircuts on that KOR team. And, I think FIFA should be checking birth certificates - some of these players in the tournament can't be under 20 IMO.

I'm starting to doubt that any players in this tournament are under 20.
We know for sure that Freddie Adu is older (it's been rumoured for years).
And the Canadian keeper.. he's a monster!

Locke · 07-04-2007, 02:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GirlySports

I'm starting to doubt that any players in this tournament are under 20.
We know for sure that Freddie Adu is older (it's been rumoured for years).
And the Canadian keeper.. he's a monster!

I agree with both of you, it seems unreal, then you look at teams like Argentina and Brazil and their players dont look a day over 16.

http://www.fifa.com/mm/document/tour...-v2%5f9349.pdf

Official list, check the Birthdays. Remember "All players must have been born on or after 1 January 1987. It says so on page 20 of this link.

http://www.fifa.com/mm/document/tour...%5fe%5f375.pdf

Maybe its something they put in the water?

FlamingLonghorn · 07-04-2007, 02:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GirlySports

I'm starting to doubt that any players in this tournament are under 20.
We know for sure that Freddie Adu is older (it's been rumoured for years).
And the Canadian keeper.. he's a monster!

For Sure???

Locke · 07-04-2007, 03:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sowa

For Sure???

I think to clarify her statement is that when Adu came to the US from Ghana, the birth records in that country during that time were not exactly the shining pinnacle of efficiency or accuracy to say the least. His actual age has been a hazy guess at best.

In any case, I dont think its really all that relevant, its not like hes 5-10 years older or anything, the fact is hes a great player and if hes between 17-20 and not 18 or whatever, who cares?

I think this age thing is okay for speculation and such, but to be honest a couple years either way isnt really material. Look at all the crazy 15 year old hockey players that are 4-6 inches taller than me and outweight me by 20-50 pounds. Thats insane, but it just shows that it can happen.

troutman · 07-04-2007, 03:03 PM

Remember Taiwan sending what seemed to be grown men to play in the Little League World Series?

FlamingLonghorn · 07-04-2007, 03:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by troutman

Remember Taiwan sending what seemed to be grown men to play in the Little League World Series?

The US sent that Almonte kid too...

Locke · 07-04-2007, 03:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by troutman

Remember Taiwan sending what seemed to be grown men to play in the Little League World Series?

I do recall that, I thought that was absolutely hilarious. That has to suck, as an adult competing against kids.

On a soccer note however. Why the hell are these games being played at 8:45 and 10:45 PM Eastern? A soccer game at 11:00 at night? Its an hour and a half long. These are kids, thats past their bedtime!

Not to mention, I want to watch soccer NOW!

GirlySports · 07-05-2007, 11:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Locke

I do recall that, I thought that was absolutely hilarious. That has to suck, as an adult competing against kids.

On a soccer note however. Why the hell are these games being played at 8:45 and 10:45 PM Eastern? A soccer game at 11:00 at night? Its an hour and a half long. These are kids, thats past their bedtime!

Not to mention, I want to watch soccer NOW!

Blame Vancouver for being in a weird timezone

Round of 16

11 July, Wed Burnaby 1st B vs .3rd A, C, D 11:00PM - 1:30AM

11 July, Wed Victoria 1st F vs. 2nd E 11:15PM - 1:15AM

Enjoy your late nights!