Radu, at this level i don'd believe in easy games. We played 2 hard games against: 1) our bitter rival in south america and 2) a very good Portugal side, and we survived in both. Yes, we have a chance but will be hard. I read today here in Brazil that Senegal players are confident: "this Brazil side has no Pelé, Ronaldo or Zico" and "we can beat them". I hope they play an open game like Nigeria did. If they do that, Brazil will be in the final game.
With Portugal was the real final. Brazil was lucky, but somehow managed to win. Now, are easy opponents for Brazil. The same said the Nigerian players and what happend. You scored 4 goals, the same will happen now. I said to zahzah he is overconfident. Senegal it's also overconfident. Brazil it's Brazil. When I saw what zahzah told about Nigeria gold generation I gave credit to him, but after I saw the game against Brazil was pretty clearly.
I guess it's because zahzah is a fan just like all of us. Fans tend to discredit teans they don't like and put a lot of credits on thouse ones they like. It's normal. By the way, Portugal and Uruguay managed to not let Gabriel Jesus play. We had the impression he was not playing well, but it was not that. When i said Senegal to play an open game i meant "let this kid Gabriel play". LOL!
Even if Senegal is the worst of the four teams left (and I have no idea) they didn't come off of 2x OT games in a row with only 2 days rest. I hope Portugal was the toughest game, but I don't think that means it will be an easy road now. It won't be even if our opponents are poor. And chances are they're not.
I haven't decided yet if his blindness intentional or not. I remember debating with him not long ago some claims he was making of ref bias in some WC games involving Africa teams. He was really exaggerating some of the calls making them look worse than they were. I couldn't give him a harder time about the Nigeria debacle because it does look like there is some serious shady business in their player selection. I don't really know the players he mentions, but I do believe him that they could have played a better lineup.
Yet Brazil still played vs all of their main "stars" and bet them. He's trying to sell to me that the Belgian league is a top league in the u-20 thread on the FIFA and Competitions board.
Brazil got a lucky goal in the 5th minute - nice move to get to the endline, but the cross was deflected in before the keeper could block it. Started decently, had one free-kick earlier and Senegal had not done anything yet but will probably put on some pressure now. Senegal did move forward but Brazil just scored on a counter. 2x0 in the seventh minute.
Brazil finding tons of space on the right (Senegal's left) but no big chances since. Senegal gifted a free chance by one zagueiro doing a David Luiz impression. Senegal putting a little more pressure on in that last minute but Brazil still mostly in control. EDIT: Tabelinha on the right, Gabriel Jesus gets a good shot, off the post. 18 minutes in.
3x0 20 minutes. Brazil scores on their first attack down the left. Tabelinha again, low cross, deflected by the keeper only a yard or two out and Boschila taps it in.
Jorge scored number 4 but I missed it as I was in the kitchen... should have known better in a game like this.
Is it just me or does anyone else think the Senegal keeper looks like Fry? (Futurama) @Radu Razvan You certainly did predict this, gotta give you that.
Brazil up 4x0 and up one player going into halftime. Did not see the first yellow to the Senegal player but the second was fair.
Very unselfish play makes it 5x0 at 77 minutes. Guilherme gets his second after another tabelinha gets Brazil in the box and Boschila squares it for a tap in.
Ended 5x0 gol contra Guilherme Boschila Jorge Guilherme Defense not tested much, Senegal did get some chances though and should have had at least one. Second half was a training match. Serbia or Mali in the final. Micale? More like Milagre, amirite?
I saw serbia against Hungary and they were far from impressive. They needed a goal off a corner in the 90th minute to take it to extra time/penalties.
Perfect. Above all, this U20WC was VERY positive for us because we discovered a great youth coach. Dunga should really consider using him as an assistant during the Olympics... And if we play our cards right, Micale could keep evolving and eventually become our main team coach. I wonder what would he do with no age limitations. Our final match will be versus Serbia. I didn't see enough of them to make a fair judgement of their 'threat level', but for me at least the result don't matter, I'm already satisfied because we found Micale and some other good players. That's the main point of all youth competitions IMO. Overall I'm very impressed, though we had quite a bit of luck to survive versus Portugal ( but then again, those who can't finish their chances don't deserve to win either). Players that caught my attention: Marlon and Lucão (The CBs): They are pretty solid for their age. They commit some mistakes but that's normal for their age. João Pedro (RB): Great pace, stamina, great at supporting the attack. Danilo (DMF, captain): Seems to be Luiz Gustavo's heir. Good tackling and marking, not too many fouls or cards, his passing isn't creative but it's simple and accurate. Not clueless with the ball at his feet.... Promising. Also has good physique. Boschilia (AMF?): I see him having a great future as a CMF, not AMF. He is quite well rounded as a player: good work rate, decent passing, great shooting, good movement, intelligence. I like him. Gabriel Jesus: excellent dribbler, creative player. He is only 18 IIRC, should he keep evolving his end product/decision making and cut out some of his diving we will have a great player in our hands. He played much better with the NT than he usually does with Palmeiras, as far as I've seem him with the green shirt at least. He doesn't feel the pressure and that's invaluable. Judivan: He is a good striker. Nice finishing, positioning, strength, dribbling. He could be very important for us in the future. Gutted about his injury, I hope it doesn't leave any lasting effects. Add Marquinhos, Neymar (over 23 spot, it will be hard to convince Barcelona to let him play but I have no doubts that he wishes greatly to try to win the gold medal again), Kenedy, Gerson, Gabigol, Talisca to this list and we can see a good team for the Olympics being formed. It was a shame we didn't get to see more of Caju, he has been great for us at Santos, I think he will be our olympic LB...Though Jorge was pretty good as well. I'm not sure if Danilo Luis (the RB) would count as an over-23 spot, he will be 24 at July 15th 2016. Something like this: ------------------------------Diego Alves------------------ ---Danilo L.-------Marquinhos-----Marlon/Lucão-----Caju ---------------------------------Danilo------------------------------- ----------------------Talisca-------------Gerson -----------Kenedy----------------------------------Neymar ---------------------------------Gabigol
Fabinho, Lucas Silva, Coutinho, and Fred all qualify for U-23. This will be a tough lineup to construct.
On average, it seems like 3-4 guys on a U-20 team actually make it to senior level. A few might get a call up at best.
Rafinha and Felipe Anderson as well. If I was Dunga I take Luis Gustavo and Thiago Silva along with Neymar as the 3 overage players.
1st of all I was shocked by the score!! African teams on the Under anything level and Olympic level have always been a thorn in our side!! To Kaka's quote, I agree, but I have the feeling that Dunga is gonna bring Sideshow Bob instead of T. Silva!!