So a likely Ukraine-Italy semi (bet Mali gets jobbed). I can see Ukraine winning that one. And a USA-Senegal on the other side.
Pretty fun times USA- Senegal semifinal. Ain’t youth soccer grand? It’s bizarre to me how there can be such parity at the U20 level that’ll be gone within three years and certainly by the time the senior cup hits.
I wish I had your confidence. Just as likely the US loses by 4 as wins by 1 in my book. All kinds of stats about the US making the quarterfinals 80 times in the last 6 years, but how many semis was it that sTab has coached in?
Mali's striker boots it into their own net with little pressure. Unbelievable. Italy has had the most absurd breaks this tournament.
Meh. The most quintessentially italia team i've seen in over a decade. Why score again? Why defend so hard? Why play 80min when you can just play 5min every half? But damn if it is not effective.
Wow, Ukraine outplayed Colombia to bits. Kinda feel less bad about that loss now. Ukraine are pretty damn good even if we played better. Don’t rest on Korea. They beat Argentina in the group stage and Japan in the first round. Senegal might have trouble with them.
actually take that back. well worked goal, 3 on 6, cutting runs, back passes, great touches and brilliant finish. will never see a better worked goal at any level.
Oh my Mali. Again two on 4, Mali slicing italy central defense like mango. Only the keeper to beat and he beats it against hte keeper.
shush. We are magic Mali here. These guys need at least one good story before they retire into convalescence in 5 years.
One of my favorite things about this tournament has been seeing the fans in Poland support Mali. The whole stadium has been chanting for the young eagles and is openly booing the Italians. It was similar during the Argentina match. The Mali goalkeeper jersey is pretty sweet too.
Mali has a lot of speed and athleticism. They also have skill which scares me as a Ukraine supporter. The saving grace is that Mali (and it is a problem for many African teams) is that they can make those totally incomprehensible mistakes at the back. We do not need many of those. One per match may be enough of a chance for us.
For once Italy shooting lets them down. Good chance in the box, skied. Game slowed down. Italy on the front foot. Mali not looking overly bothered.
meh. free kick into the wall, goes into the box after another shot and italian player fires a no-angle, near post shot that beats the GK. Got to get to that GK.