2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup

[Addick]

Originally Posted by 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.

I'd call the quickness of transition a team's directness of attack. To me flowing football is about moving the ball around the pitch in a fluid nature. It's no secret that Canada and America prefer a more direct attacking game and it's not a bad thing, however, how they attempt to do it is. As you've pointed out, America can put the ball in the back of the net, but their problem is getting themselves into positions and situations where they can do that. They try the direct approach but that often results in them simply kicking the ball up field, rather than carrying it.

I think they could look at how New Zealand played against Portugal. The Kiwis were not nearly as skilled as the Portuguese and favored the direct approach but they tried to develop the play and move the ball up field through short passes. While the Portuguese, and for show the Koreans as well, would attempt to complete a complex array of 12-20 short passes, the Kiwis tried to get to goal with 5-7 short passes. Both Canada and America need to develop players with the necessary skills to do this, even the Canadian coach hinted at this:

Originally Posted by Calgary Herald: "Canada in tough after loss to Austria"

"Our game is maybe not developed enough, or as well, as the competition that you face in many of the games," said coach Dale Mitchell. "That requires good technical ability and good savvy and ability to open people up. That's a part of the game, at this level, that we're still trying to develop."

Originally Posted by GirlySports

I think you're picking on the US.

I couldn't honestly say that I'm not a harsh critic of America, but I hope that I can say I'm a critic that reviews their play with a fine tooth comb rather than one who just gets on their case, often incorrectly.

Originally Posted by GirlySports

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 was lucky enough to get the opportunity to catch the Brazil/Wales match a White Heart Lane last September. I have to say, it wasn't the greatest Brazilian performance... I did get a picture of Ronaldinho though!!!

Originally Posted by GirlySports

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

Hopefully I'll be able to analyze tomorrow's matches first hand in the stands.

[GirlySports]

This is where we differ. I can't stand slow short-passing. The mexicans and the portugese slowly playing 15 passes and then losing the ball before the box irritates. I love wing-play. I love speed. I love seeing a player launch the ball 50 yards down the wing and then having a speedy winger latch onto it.

I dont think either style is beautiful or ugly. It's just preference.

Let me apologize for calling you a troll. From your followup posts I can see you are a great soccer fan. I'm so tired of hearing Brazillian and Argentinian fans thinking they own the sport and their 10 year olds could beat anyone. Your first post kind of sounded like that which I have heard way too much. "Just because Brazil lost the other team got lucky" . Brazil is my least favorite team because of their warped fans. I give credit when they play well but very often they dont.

Here's to hoping Brazil chokes against Chile later today

[FlamingLonghorn]

I am someone who has in past really been hard on Adu, but in the last two matches he looks like he might eventually get to the stardom that every thought he would. In the Brazil match, he looked a step above everyone on the field, maybe Brazil had a bad game, but Adu simply outshined everyone in that game.

Also, that was an incredible game I don't know how anyone can think otherwise. I thought the US's defense was poor, so I don't know where you got that they played well, unless you include Seitz in the D because he saved their ass many times.

I also don't understand the hate on for the US's style of play. You don't score 6 goals against a good Polish team by playing a nonflowing style of play.

I think the hate is all about being scared that the US are going to be contenders eventually and the world of soccer would hate that, but it's coming.

[Maserati]

I think the hate is all about being scared that the US are going to be contenders eventually and the world of soccer would hate that, but it's coming.

Will never happen..I hope.i culd never accept it esp. as they call it soccer

[Locke]

The US is taking strides in the right direction. Dont get me wrong, I am one of those people who doesnt want the US to become a contender. Simply because I really dont like their style of play.

However, that being said, their game against Brazil was great, regardless of what I think of their 'style of play' they made that game entertaining. They played a really good game on most fronts, their defense got lucky a lot and their keeper should have been wearing #34. The Brazilians didnt play a great game, but man did they give it their all in that second half. You have to remember, these are kids. This is their first international game at this level. They were down, and they're not used to that, and they lost their composure and rushed their plays. They got desperate and the US stayed strong.

Brazil is a team that mails it in to most competitions, and GirlySports, I agree with you there is a significant amount of arrogance comprised within this fact. I cant fault you for disliking that. As a Brazil fan, I understand some of the crap that goes on, it makes it harder to cheer for them, as their losses are taken a lot harder by their fans, but thems the breaks. Its all worth it when they post wins in the fashion of which they are capable. For example, tonights Copa America win against Chile. That was a Brazil game. Chile had their a$$es handed to them tonight, but ask their fans whether that was a great game or not, they'll tell you it was amazing. Thats Brazil.

Locke.

BTW, I do have a somewhat anit-American soccer bias. I am fully ready to admit it. I do however give credit where credit is due, ad the US won that game and won it well. I did think that their second goal was something of a lucky bounce, it was a tough shot to take after that bounce and it was a chance they finished. Thats how games are won. Well done USA.

[Locke]

BTW, I will be in Edmonton for the Mexico/New Zealand game and the Canada/Congo game tomorrow.

Go CANADA GO!!!!

[calgaryrocks]

so here is the latest(from what i can see) for canadas hopes. if they beat congo, the finish ahead of the group E 3rd place team(korea -2points). they only need to finish ahead of 2 3rd place teams.
gambia has 3 points and plays portugal and canada could finish ahead of the loser, but one team must lose. gambia has only 1 goal for so if portugal shuts them out then canada needs to score at least one goal to move on(if gambia loses by 1-0 and canada wins 1-0, i have no idea what tie breaker is left??) also if portugal gets shut out and loses by 2 goals or more and canada wins by a goal then canada would win a tie breaker.
if canada scores 3 goals in a win they would win a tie breaker with costa rica, but considering canada hasnt scored any it is a stretch, and if they score 5 they would win a tie breaker with brazil


bottom line, we need some help and some scoring, and we dont move on unless we win.

[GirlySports]

Originally Posted by calgaryrocks

so here is the latest(from what i can see) for canadas hopes. if they beat congo, the finish ahead of the group E 3rd place team(korea -2points). they only need to finish ahead of 2 3rd place teams.
gambia has 3 points and plays portugal and canada could finish ahead of the loser, but one team must lose. gambia has only 1 goal for so if portugal shuts them out then canada needs to score at least one goal to move on(if gambia loses by 1-0 and canada wins 1-0, i have no idea what tie breaker is left??) also if portugal gets shut out and loses by 2 goals or more and canada wins by a goal then canada would win a tie breaker.
if canada scores 3 goals in a win they would win a tie breaker with costa rica, but considering canada hasnt scored any it is a stretch, and if they score 5 they would win a tie breaker with brazil


bottom line, we need some help and some scoring, and we dont move on unless we win.

Yeah.. that injury time goal by Costa Rica killed any hope Canada had. If they had tied Canada would simply have to win to advance.

[GirlySports]

Originally Posted by Locke

The US is taking strides in the right direction. Dont get me wrong, I am one of those people who doesnt want the US to become a contender. Simply because I really dont like their style of play.

However, that being said, their game against Brazil was great, regardless of what I think of their 'style of play' they made that game entertaining. They played a really good game on most fronts, their defense got lucky a lot and their keeper should have been wearing #34. The Brazilians didnt play a great game, but man did they give it their all in that second half. You have to remember, these are kids. This is their first international game at this level. They were down, and they're not used to that, and they lost their composure and rushed their plays. They got desperate and the US stayed strong.

Brazil is a team that mails it in to most competitions, and GirlySports, I agree with you there is a significant amount of arrogance comprised within this fact. I cant fault you for disliking that. As a Brazil fan, I understand some of the crap that goes on, it makes it harder to cheer for them, as their losses are taken a lot harder by their fans, but thems the breaks. Its all worth it when they post wins in the fashion of which they are capable. For example, tonights Copa America win against Chile. That was a Brazil game. Chile had their a$$es handed to them tonight, but ask their fans whether that was a great game or not, they'll tell you it was amazing. Thats Brazil.

Locke.

BTW, I do have a somewhat anit-American soccer bias. I am fully ready to admit it. I do however give credit where credit is due, ad the US won that game and won it well. I did think that their second goal was something of a lucky bounce, it was a tough shot to take after that bounce and it was a chance they finished. Thats how games are won. Well done USA.

I think Chile lost that match during the national anthem. It's a mentality thing. South American teams are SCARED of the name BRAZIL. Mexico and US are not and are making a habit out of giving the Brazilians a tough time.
Brazil played excellent but what were the Chileans thinking? You give Brazil that much space they will score 10.

Yes the 2nd US goal was a lucky bounce but it was created by an incredible move by Adu to get out of the corner!

And another comparision that will get me shot. The US play soccer alot like the Flames play hockey. Forechecking, pressure, hard-working and guts. You should like them

[ricoFlame]

canada vs. congo 5:30 today on the CBC, right after the portugal vs. gambia game. nice little afternoon of football on CBC. should be a decent watch, hopefully canada can step up, if they can that match has the potential to be a great one.

[Addick]

Originally Posted by GirlySports

I love seeing a player launch the ball 50 yards down the wing and then having a speedy winger latch onto it.

Being that speedy striker I've quickly come to dislike those plays... The worst part of them is when you latch onto those balls, look up and see that the goal is still a good 30 yards away.

Originally Posted by GirlySports

Let me apologize for calling you a troll.

No worries, without further explanation my earlier post looks rather trollish.

Originally Posted by Sowa

I thought the US's defense was poor, so I don't know where you got that they played well...

In 1v1 situations they did very well; they closed down the Brazilians on numerous occassions. The Brazilians did manage get past a few of them but it wasn't a walk around. Also, like I said before, the US were in the right defensive spots to force turnovers and subsequently collect the ball.

[ricoFlame]

oh man, no goals in the tourney for canada...yikes, that's tough. they manufactured some superb opportunitied tonight, but the finishing was absolutely awful.

[Machiavelli]

First host team in the tournament's history to go out without scoring a single goal.

They really did try, though. Lombardo was the most noticeable out there - no finish whatsoever, but at least the effort was there. Sigh.

The only entertaining part was seeing the goalie (Begovic -sp?) getting the red card and the substitute player getting cheered after every save.

[troutman]

Originally Posted by Machiavelli

First host team in the tournament's history to go out without scoring a single goal.

Like CAN not winning any gold medals at the MTL Olympics.

[ricoFlame]

Originally Posted by troutman

Like CAN not winning any gold medals at the MTL Olympics.

or the calgary olympics.

[atb]

Originally Posted by Machiavelli

First host team in the tournament's history to go out without scoring a single goal.

I just don't get why our teams don't improve over time, especially when it seems the number of kids playing soccer seems to be increasing as the country's population increases.

[ricoFlame]

Originally Posted by atb112

I just don't get why our teams don't improve over time, especially when it seems the number of kids playing soccer seems to be increasing as the country's population increases.

there are definitely more young players making it to a high level of play within the canadian soccer system, unfourtunately, that level that they are reaching doesn't seem to be getting much higher in relation to the rest of the world. i quite honestly believe that this team did underachieve, but still, a country progresses and grows forward on a foundation of success. there has been little success for the CSA to build upon. i wish i knew how to change this for canadian football.

[Addick]

Originally Posted by atb112

I just don't get why our teams don't improve over time, especially when it seems the number of kids playing soccer seems to be increasing as the country's population increases.

To put it simply, because we are teaching those kids to play soccer instead of football. We have a very large amount of children playing footy but we are developing them the same way we have in the past, and as such we are getting the same results. If you watched the pre-game show today you probably heard an echo of what I’ve been saying, Canada needs to change the style of game that we play from a long ball/dump-and-chase/hit-and-hope game to a short passing game. However, to be able to play the latter style you need skilled as well as technical players and that’s where Canada’s problem lies; we are simply not producing enough talented players.

You might hear people saying that we need a domestic professional league to develop our players and give them aspiration in addition to a place to play, but I believe that the CSA needs to first focus on creating a system where the large number of children playing the game are taught and allowed to master the basic skills. This system also needs to be able to develop these children as they grow; giving them the opportunity to develop their game and learn advanced skills through elite youth leagues and academies as well as amateur leagues. Once the CSA are on their way to achieving this they can then shift part of their focus to creating a domestic professional league.

[ernie]

Clearly as a whole the canadian players are missing, for lack of a better term, that one-on-one skill. They just don't have the nifty little passes and other little tricks in their repetoire.

How much of that is do to footy not being part of Canadian culture. With hockey, much of that individual skill was developed on the backyard rink or playing shinny after school and on weekends. Unlike many of these other countries footy is not the first thing canadian kids think of when looking to have fun after school or on the weekends so beyond team practices and games very little skill is built up.

Just a theory.

[ricoFlame]

here's what the round of 16 looks like: http://www.fifa.com/u20worldcup/matches/index.html

sould make for a great end tourney, or as great as is can be without the hosts in there to cheer for. some great match ups in the round of 16!