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

As Bobo Vieri has said numerous times Italy likes to grind out victories. And within that gringding there's a lot of physical plays, gamesmanship and dare I say... ...trying to embellish a little too much within certain situations.

Yes, as you point out... ...it goes both ways and there are circumstances where other teams do it. I am not going to get into that debate here. I am just going by popular perception (The English always seem to bring up Italian football when it comes to gamesmanship) and you can call it misconception if you want since you are offended.

 

As Vietnam and Saudi Arabia will kick off their respective campaign within a minute, it will be interesting to see whether all AFC representative go undefeated in the first round of group stage; Korea Republic, Japan, and Iran all collected three points in their respective first match.

 

USA came back from a 2-0 deficit to tie 3-3.
Sloppy defense all around and a very stretched match defensively. But entertaining for the neutrals I suppose.

 

Looking at Saudi Arabia vs Senegal I say no.

 

Damn. That was so fast. Already 2-0 in 15 minutes.

 

Vietnam is dominating possession but can't convert their opportunities.
That will bite them late in the game if they continue this trend going.

 

USA and Mexico both increased their points with a goal in the 90+4th minute.

 

I agree it goes both ways but I feel with the little gamesmanship things and grabbing/pulling the refs already know whats going on but often choose to let it go anyway. Probably because when you look at each play individually its hard to justify stopping the game. So it'll be interesting but I think the Juve cheats and such got this far because they know what they are doing.
On a side note I thought England-Italy was one of the cleanest matches of the WC but the matches involving Uruguay on the other hand...

 

Well that -4 GD is not going to help Argentina. Guinea is still in this thing, although they probably need to win. I don't think they go through with 2 points. Argentina obviously need a win.

If Argentina finishes 3rd, they will most likely be behind Germany or Mex in group B. Germany probably beats Vanuatu and will have 4pts and MEX is already on 4pts. So Argentina most likely already has one less spot for the 3rd place ranking.

 

Wow - South Korea looking pretty good so far, shades of 2002 definitely... if only they can get Byron Moreno back to ref some of their games, they may be genuine contenders to win the whole thing.

 

Zambia - Iran : 4-2

Zambia totally changed course in this match, being led 2-0 by Iran ( a brace by Reza Shekari, the Rostov FC promising talent) at half time, and eventually knocking team melli off with 4 goals in 20 mns ! That Zambia team is either brilliant and super powerful, or they may field overaged players using their physical advantage...

South Africa - Italy 0-2

solid victory for Italy, who is now very likely to reach the knockout phase, provided they don't collapse against Japan, which seems very unlikely... As for South Africa, I guess they are already through, don't expect them to win against Uruguay.

 

Uruguay is up there and probably relies more on the gamesmanship than anyone that is for sure.

Back to the U20, I think instead of expanding they should contract this tournament to less teams. Only because most teams do not bring their very best players.

 

The USA is in Europe?
I think I have to buy a new globe.

 

I am sure there's some really good Euro based players that are under the age of 20 that were denied this tournament from South America and African teams too.

It is not just the European teams.

 

It's not a national team's fault if FIFA makes U-20 World Cups but doesn't make clubs release players for them.

Costa Rica's Jimmy Marin scored in the 48th minute to tie their game with Portugal 1-1. It's in the 57th minute.

 

The issue has nothing to do with blame or fault.
It has to do with quality and I personally don't think you should expand the tournament if teams don't bring their best in the first place.

 

You go from saying it is only Europe to now saying it is 99%. SO now you have to work on geography and statistical analysis.

Maybe I should have said most teams and federations I care about that have a tradition of good futbol don't bring all their stars so I will concede that.

I just don't think it should be expanded. That is the main point.