FIFA U-20 World Cup: Korea Republic 2017 [R]

Because of the Confed Cup most leagues end on the 21st of May. That means one game which could be inconseqeuntial for most teams... Still... why not do it a week later?

This year looks pretty weak comparitively. Defending champions Serbia and runner-ups Brasil are out for one as are both traditional African powerhouses Ghana and Nigeria, Asia look weak while CONMEBOL sends a low kjey representation at least where country 'renown' is concerned. And even Argentina barely qualified for the tournament so based on February's performance will not be counted as a strong Argentina side...

Plus two OFC countries...

On the other hand.... UEFA threw the top teams. Could be their tournament...

HOSTS: South Korea
AFC: Iran, Japan, Saudi Arabia, Vietnam
CONMEBOL: Argentina, Ecuador, Venezuela, Uruguay
OFC: New Zealand, Vanuatu
UEFA: Italy, France, Germany, England, Portugal

CAF - 4 teams from: Cameroon, Egypt, Guinea, Mali, Zambia, Senegal, Sudan, South Africa
CONCACAF - 4 teams from 12 remaining

 

If Mali and Senegal make it to the finales, i really rate their chances high. They have been in the semi finals 2015 and both had a lot of players at 17 and 18 yrs of age, still able to play in korea.

apart from that, i think uruguay is very strong offensively with likes of schiappacasse, amaral and ardaiz and betancur. what a group of attacking talent.

apart from that, i think germany, france and portugal as well as the hosts are among the candidates.

 

Their natural powerhouse physique should help at this level. Senegal and Mali are full of towering players with special physical attributes. The question remains as to skill level of this player's.

 

If I remember correctly the 2002 World Cup was held as early as possible due to monsoon season. Maybe that is their reasoning this time around to not wait another week or two.

 

World Cup 2002 started on May 31. That's earlier than World Cup 1998, which started on June 10, and World Cup 2006, which started on June 9.

 

Guinea and Zambia qualify, Egypt and Mali are out.

 

What happened to Mali? They had brilliant performance in Kiwiland, now they got thrashed.

 

Different team. Zambia was the home team and they have dominated everyone while Guinea look more than decent.

Hard to be sure but on this performance so far Zambia could be a dark horse. Patson Daka looks like quite a talent. No wonder he's already in Europe despite Zambia not being known for talent export.

 

CAF semifinalists are:
RSA vs Zambia
Guinea vs Senegal

So those are Africa's representative at the U20 World Cup. A pretty unlikely set of teams. Senegal should be good. Hard to say about the rest.

 

CONCACAF teams:
US, Mexico, Honduras, Costa Rica.

 

HOSTS: South Korea
AFC: Iran, Japan, Saudi Arabia, Vietnam
CONMEBOL: Argentina, Ecuador, Venezuela, Uruguay
OFC: New Zealand, Vanuatu
UEFA: Italy, France, Germany, England, Portugal
CAF - Guinea, Zambia, Senegal, South Africa
CONCACAF - USA, Mexico, Honduras, Costa Rica

If this were normal senior football looks like a pretty weak setup outside of CONCACAF and UEFA. But you never know with CAF at this tournament and the dire Argentine qualification may have no bearing on the tournament itself. Also South Korea should be a decent host.

 

For the first time in my memory, the US u-20 are coming in as quite likely the strongest CONCACAF side. The big question is if Christian Pulisic will play. Most bets are on no given that the full US team has crucial qualifiers at the same time.

 

The final draw will be held on March 15 at 3 PM in local time zone (GMT +9).

 

I'd say save his arse for crucial WC qualifier. US can't afford to lose him with lower priority.

 

Zambia vs Senegal in the U20 CAF final. Zambia with four straight wins so far scoring 11 and conceeding 2, but they are the home team.

Nonetheless they have been playing some very attractive football, the type they have been known for in their golden eras.

I really like the look of Fashion Sakala. Finally someone worthy to replace the legend Kalusha Bwalya?

 

Zambia dominate Senegal to win CAF qualifying in style. 5 games, 5 wins, 2 goals conceeded. Will be interesting to see if they carry the form... (OK... both goals from terrible goalkeeping errors, but Zambia really dominated the game)

 

Yes GK blunders but I will say the forwards had good anticipation and reflexes on those goals.

The first goal I have seen older professionals just get lazy and assume the Keeper will land on it, but the guy pounced on it quickly. The second one was very good hustle by the Zambian.

 

Final Draw Result:

Group A: Korea Republic-Guinea-Argentina-England
Group B: Venezuela-Germany-Vanuatu-Mexico
Group C: Zambia-Portugal-Iran-Costa Rica
Group D: South Africa-Japan-Italy-Uruguay
Group E: France, Honduras, Vietnam, New Zealand
Group F: Ecuador, USA, Saudi Arabia, Senegal

 

Argentina and England will play the opening match of the tournament.

 

Poor Vanuatu.

 

USA would be happy if they got that group in a World Cup.

 

But not so happy in this one. Everyone in that group did well in their qualifiers.