2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup

[GirlySports]

Originally Posted by troutman

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

I think i saw the same kid 5 years in a row.
All Asians look alike

[VANFLAMESFAN]

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!

Where do you see any game that starts past 8pm local time?? There's no way FIFA would allow players to play a game that late. Schedule is below and sure, the games that start at 8 in Vancouver would be crappy for eastern viewers, but your point here is about the players.

http://www.fifa.com/u20worldcup/matches/index.html

[Machiavelli]

That was a terrible game offensively for Canada. The only real look they had was the blooper that hit the crossbar. Other than that, they didn't have many chances. Maybe it was the heat too, but the first half was just waaaaay too slow on both sides.

[ricoFlame]

still, woulda been nice to see that opportunity in the 93rd minute burried, oh well, the hosts will bow out of the tourney early.

[Locke]

Mexico - Portugal. What a game, came down to the wire at the end. Too many players on Portugal mailed that one in. Pele was downright nonexistant and Gama seemed like he was expecting the Mexicans to back away from him as, apparently he is amazing, which I havent seen yet, and it never happened and he couldnt create anything.

Canada - Austria. Very disappointing game, again, Canada played like an intramural team again. No urgency in the offense and no decisiveness in the defense. Not a lot too special aout that one.

Still, some good stuff, although it kinda sucks when the hosts bow out early. The tournament tends to lose some of its intensity.

[VANFLAMESFAN]

Originally Posted by Locke

Mexico - Portugal. What a game, came down to the wire at the end. Too many players on Portugal mailed that one in. Pele was downright nonexistant and Gama seemed like he was expecting the Mexicans to back away from him as, apparently he is amazing, which I havent seen yet, and it never happened and he couldnt create anything.

.

Great game, the second half was great. I agree, some of Portugal's top players didn't show up. Gama didn't show anything, he was being marked like crazy, but so was Coentrao but you could notice him. I have been really impressed with his play, too bad he's suspended for sunday's game. But as a Portuguese fan, I am stoked to see Coentrao in national team uniform in the next couple years.

[GirlySports]

Don't lose faith! Canada can still get in with a win on Sunday!
They take the best 4 of 6 3rd place teams to the 2nd round.

And looking at other groups, the 3rd place team in Groups B, E and F could easily have less than 3 points.

Group B
Spain 4
Uruguay 4
Zambia 1
Jordan 1

Spain - Jordan
Uruguay - Zambia

If jordan or zambia don't win, both will have less than 3 points.

Group E
Argentina 4
Czech 2
North Korea 2
Panama 1

Argentina-North Korea
Czech - Panama

If Panama doesn't win or if North Korea doesn't win or draw, both will have less than 3 points.

Group F
Japan 6
Nigeria 6
Costa Rica 0
Scotland 0

Japan-Nigeria
Costa Rica-Scotland

Cheer for a Costa Rica-Scotland DRAW. Or if someone does win, hope it's a Scotland win because they have a -4 goals ratio same as Canada.

Having said all this, let's just see if Canada can actually score a goal!
But there's hope so keep supporting!

[ricoFlame]

Originally Posted by GirlySports

Don't lose faith! Canada can still get in with a win on Sunday!
They take the best 4 of 6 3rd place teams to the 2nd round.

true, but congo will definitely be tough, they sure are fun to watch though. i love how the african nations refuse to stop pressing the ball forward, superb football.

[ricoFlame]

oh man, brazil trailing the usa 1-0 in the 37th minute...jeesh, step up samba boys, common now.

[ricoFlame]

brazil scores, 1-1 in the 66th minute, this is a very entertaining game. the brazilians, like seemingly everyone else in this tourney, go to ground far too easily.

EDIT: 2-1 USA in the 82nd minute.
EDIT2: 2-1 USA Full time.

[GirlySports]

Originally Posted by ricoFlame

brazil scores, 1-1 in the 66th minute, this is a very entertaining game. the brazilians, like seemingly everyone else in this tourney, go to ground far too easily.

EDIT: 2-1 USA in the 82nd minute.
EDIT2: 2-1 USA Full time.

What an amazing match, non-stop action.
Adu was incredible.
The US keeper was really hurting at the end but pulled off some great saves.

This is the intensity and speed that Canada needs to play at.

[Addick]

That was a disgraceful performance by Brazil! My God, that was an embarrassment to any footballing nation, pretty much handing the game to the bloody yanks! The Brazilian players just didn't seem to be there; they were flat-footed and didn't take any shape. The lads weren't there to collect passes and when they were the passes were errant. The team had next to no flow and at times they resorted to a long ball game, however, at times it did work because they were somewhat directed long balls.

The match wasn't that great but I have to give the U.S. some credit, they did play well defensively, especially being there to capitalize on Brazilian turnovers. However, they'll still play soccer and that angers me to no end! By soccer I mean the long ball ("hit-and-hope" or "dump-and-chase") game. A few long ball passes a game are okay, granted they are to a person, or an open space where a player will be. I don't want to sound like the typical football fan from the old country with a hate-hard-on for America, but to me the yanks didn't win this one as much as Brazil lost it/gave it up.

[ricoFlame]

Originally Posted by Addick

That was a disgraceful performance by Brazil! My God, that was an embarrassment to any footballing nation, pretty much handing the game to the bloody yanks! The Brazilian players just didn't seem to be there; they were flat-footed and didn't take any shape. The lads weren't there to collect passes and when they were the passes were errant. The team had next to no flow and at times they resorted to a long ball game, however, at times it did work because they were somewhat directed long balls.

The match wasn't that great but I have to give the U.S. some credit, they did play well defensively, especially being there to capitalize on Brazilian turnovers. However, they'll still play soccer and that angers me to no end! By soccer I mean the long ball ("hit-and-hope" or "dump-and-chase") game. A few long ball passes a game are okay, granted they are to a person, or an open space where a player will be. I don't want to sound like the typical football fan from the old country with a hate-hard-on for America, but to me the yanks didn't win this one as much as Brazil lost it/gave it up.

brazil did manage to create some decent opportunities in the 2nd half, but seemed to rush to get the ball on net once they neared the box. very uncharacteristic on typically patient and creative Brazilian teams.

[GirlySports]

Originally Posted by ricoFlame

brazil did manage to create some decent opportunities in the 2nd half, but seemed to rush to get the ball on net once they neared the box. very uncharacteristic on typically patient and creative Brazilian teams.

There was no point answering that Rico. Classic troll.

It was a fantastic match by both teams.
I'm still recovering from it and it's an hour later.

[Addick]

Originally Posted by GirlySports

There was no point answering that Rico. Classic troll.

It was a fantastic match by both teams.
I'm still recovering from it and it's an hour later.

It was by no means a fantastic match! Brazil vs. Korea was fantastic, this was a sub-par performance by Brazil in a game that didn’t flow. Like Rico said, although they had a few chances in the second half they didn't treat them like how the Brazilians are known to. Rico found the right words when talking about Brazil in the second half, they slightly stepped up their game but they were rushed. I think the pressure really got to them today. They haven't been playing very well for the whole tournament but they were especially poor tonight, in what was a game they needed to win.

[ricoFlame]

Originally Posted by GirlySports

There was no point answering that Rico. Classic troll.

It was a fantastic match by both teams.
I'm still recovering from it and it's an hour later.

meh, i'll talk football no matter what.

[GirlySports]

Originally Posted by Addick

It was by no means a fantastic match! Brazil vs. Korea was fantastic, this was a sub-par performance by Brazil in a game that didn’t flow. Like Rico said, although they had a few chances in the second half they didn't treat them like how the Brazilians are known to. Rico found the right words when talking about Brazil in the second half, they slightly stepped up their game but they were rushed. I think the pressure really got to them today. They haven't been playing very well for the whole tournament but they were especially poor tonight, in what was a game they needed to win.

Brazil and Korea was dull because Koreans can't put 2 passes together and can't finish and the result was never in doubt. Probably would have been 5-0 if not for the late rush at the end. The US played miles better than Korea did and the game was suspense full and in doubt right to the end. How can you say it didn't flow, the match hardly stopped.. it was attack after attack, counter after counter.

You can't just look at it at a Brazillian point of view only. A match isn't good or bad just because BRAZIL plays good or bad. Teams in the world now know that you can't let Brazil dance around and make plays. You have to pressure them and kick them hard. That's why Brazil is now struggling at all levels.

You have to give the US credit, they showed alot of speed and nice touches and counterattacks. They have scored NINE goals.. you dont do that playing 'ugly-soccer' as you call it. They didn't 'dump-and chase' at all. Some of the touches by Adu and Zizzo were world class. They are a force in this tournament.

I thought it was a great match that never had a dull moment. Best of the tournament so far.

[GirlySports]

Originally Posted by ricoFlame

meh, i'll talk football no matter what.

Cool, you're a much better person then I am.
I can't stand Brazillian arrogance.
They always tell me that Brazil could send 5 teams to the World Cup and they'd all win *pppphhhtttt*

[Addick]

Originally Posted by GirlySports

Koreans can't put 2 passes together

Are you talking about the same Koreans that totally outclassed and outplayed America in their first game? Korea has much more technical skill than America, they play a flowing a game!

Originally Posted by GirlySports

it was attack after attack, counter after counter.

This was a reason why the game may have been fantastic in an entertainment sense, but in terms of quality of football it wasn't very good. The counter attacks were the States knocking the ball up field and catching the Brazilians in transition. On numerous occasions the ball wasn't moved around the Brazilians but rather just skipped pass them.

Originally Posted by GirlySports

You have to give the US credit, they showed alot of speed and nice touches and counterattacks. They have scored NINE goals.. you dont do that playing 'ugly-soccer' as you call it. They didn't 'dump-and chase' at all. Some of the touches by Adu and Zizzo were world class. They are a force in this tournament.

I will give the American squad some credit, they did play well defensively. They didn't give the Brazil squad any extra time on the ball and like I said earlier, they were always in position when Brazil made a foolish pass or play. I'll also admit, and I'm happy that I saw it, on a couple of occasions the American squad did try to develop the play and bring the ball up field, however, it was few and far between and needs to happen a lot more. As for those magnificent touches, I only saw Adu use some fancy footwork a couple of times.

Originally Posted by GirlySports

They have scored NINE goals.. you dont do that playing 'ugly-soccer' as you call it.

Three of them were... I won't comment on the 6 from the Poland match because I didn't watch it.

Originally Posted by GirlySports

I can't stand Brazillian arrogance.

I'm not a Brazil fan, I'm just a fan of the beautiful game and hate when crap is displayed as football. I love my club, Charlton Athletic, but I'll even call them out when they resort to hit-and-hope balls! Unfortunately, I did that a lot more often then I would have liked this past season, maybe that's why we got relegated...

[GirlySports]

The Koreans don't really play a flowing game, it's too slow. By the time they go anywhere the other team has 9 men back. Japan has more flow than Korea. And I'm Korean!

Japan tries to play like Brazil and Korea tries to play like Holland.

I think you're picking on the US. They play a nice game. The 6 goals against Poland were all pretty. They are very fast and don't stop to let the other team settle. It's not ugly like some of the other teams in the tournament like Scotland, Austria, the african nations who look so awkward or Canada who is playing so bad.

Brazil has been playing this poorly for the past couple of years at all levels.. No surprise that they struggle in this tournament (since youth tournaments are their weakest area anyways) . Keep your eye on the national team with Dunga at the helm. Ugliest football you'll ever see.

I look forward to your analysis of other matches as the tournament goes on.