It's over 2-0 Korea wins. Canada showed nothing in this match that should worry anybody. Korea, on the other hand, should put some fear in their future opponents. They are solid throughout their lineup.
Highlights Group C France 0 - 1 Nigeria Sabastine 85' Canada 0 - 2 Korea Republic Courtnail 53'(og.), Mun Ha-yeon 62' Korea Republic ----1m---3p---2-0 Nigeria ----------------1m---3p---1-0 France ----------------1m---0p---0-1 Canada ---------------1m---0p---0-2 Group D Ghana 0 - 3 USA Cooper 11', Thompson 38', Sentnor 51' Japan 1 - 0 Netherlands Yamamoto 23' USA -----------------1m---3p---3-0 Japan --------------1m---3p---1-0 Netherlands ----1m---0p---0-1 Ghana -------------1m---0p---0-3 after round 1 (3) AFC -----------------W3-D0-L0---9p---6-1 (3.0 ppm) (2) CONMEBOL ----W1-D1-L0---4p---1-0 (2.0 ppm) (2) CAF -----------------W1-D0-L1---3p---1-3 (1.5 ppm) (4) CONCACAF ----W1-D1-L2---4p---5-6 (1.0 ppm) (1) OFC ----------------W0-D1-L0---1p---1-1 (1.0 ppm) (4) UEFA --------------W0-D1-L3---1p---0-3 (0.25 ppm) (didn't had the time to double check this so caution is advised)
There is actually a rule. 1 is reserved for one of the goalkeepers (it's in the regulations for probably every FIFA tournament), but the goalkeeper wearing the #1 doesn't have to be your starter. Sometimes it just goes to who has seniority, but may not be starting.
Today seems vaguely empty with no U20 matches all day. From a fan's point of view the format of 4 matches per day over two days followed by a gap of one day and then 4 more matches on each of the next two days and so on until all teams have played three matches is less than ideal. But it is pretty fair for all teams. I would prefer a format of two matches per days with spread each "round" over four days. That is a more watchable and, for me, enjoyable format. I understand that spreading the tournament out more would potentially cost quite a bit more and lengthen the tournament quite a bit but it would be a lot better and easier to watch. But FIFA is focused on money and little else so they are always going to choose a format that maximizes their monetary gains. On a different note: I have never liked any Central American country and hated the time I spent there more than anywhere else I have ever stayed for more that a month. Costa Rica is no exception and the time I spent there is just a blur of oppressive heat and I was wet almost all the time. However I must complement them on on the quality of the pitches being used. In Central America, the Caribbean and South America I have never seen pitches that hold up so well in bad conditions and lots of matches. With all the soccer and all the rain that has fallen every pitch I have ever seen in those areas, and much of the rest of the world, would have become nearly unplayable after the first day. Costa Rica appears to have solved the problems without reducing the fields to fake grass. I would really liked to play or coach on that kind of field. Congratulations Costa Rica.
2nd half of Japan vs. Netehrlands was played in downpur... France vs. Nigeria match was paused for an hour after 20 mins... Probably for the best they delayed this this U-20 Women’s World Cup match 😅⚡ pic.twitter.com/kQ6t2kNo9H— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) August 12, 2022 Meanwhile upcomming week in Alajuela (San Jose is pretty much the same) Weather may prove big factor in groups final results.
Fifa can sure pick some crazy-ass locations. They held the U20 WC in Papau New Guinea in 2016, I think. Now there's a hotbed of soccer! Good grief.....
For some reason, I can't see the highlights on the FIFA website and I don't know why (the icon keeps turning as if it was uploading them, but to no avail).
i just finished to watch France-Nigeria. The denied goal for France is a joke, there is no foul Sombath on the keeper. Stupid var
Today "should" be quite interesting. The first matchday produced one good match and this one may be no different or we may have a case where all the under performing teams raise their games and all four matches turn out to be good. I am particularly interested in the last match today as I have been very critical of Spain and their slow plodding advancement up the field and I hope they actually choose to use their overall skill to play soccer instead of spending most of their time waiting.
On paper the first match today is a no-brainier to pick. Germany should beat New Zealand by at least three. But "on paper" match ups mean little at this age group and at this tournament. In fact, so far, the only three teams that have pretty much performed as expected are Costa Rica and The US and Australia. As I said earlier the last match today is the most "interesting" to me as Costa Rica and Spain have been either over performing (Costa Rica) or under performing (Spain) and the changes made by both teams will be interesting. In that match I pick Costa Rica primarily because the fans will make up for any weaknesses and carry Costa Rica. The emotions will be high as both Spain and Costa Rica are almost in a must win if they wish to advance on their own merits. I do not think a draw helps either team but it will help Spain a bit more than Costa Rica. As far as the temperature and humidity goes it effects all teams equally and, if they have not prepared and hydrated correctly the deserve what they get. Unless something drastically changes the pitches will hold up fine no matter what the "rain" conditions are or become. Costa Rica has done a marvelous job making sure that conditions will be as good as possible for all teams and matches. I still wish I could get a feed with stadium sound and no announcers. But the few feeds I have potentially found were of such low quality and so intermittent that they are virtually unwatchable.
New Zealand makes a series of horrible passes culminating in a pathetic back pass that "should" have cost them a goal but the German forward hit the goalkeeper and the ball went harmlessly out of play. Germany is still vastly under-performing.
BTW: The commentators for this match in the US are actually good. They are still chattering too much but at least the current chatter is about the match being played.
Germany gets lucky. A New Zealand forward has a clean breakaway and even has a teammate about a yard behind her. It "should" have resulted in an easy tap in goal but all that happened was effectively the New Zealand forward passed the ball to a place where the only player on the field that could reach it was the German 'keeper.
I just noticed that the pitch in the area of the goal mouth are finally getting a bit torn up. The ball should roll fine in that area but there could be a problem with movement and footing for the 'keepers. A New Zealand player gets a yellow for little more than careless stupidity. She tripped a player from behind that was actually going into a place where there was plenty of help.
New Zealand is making a rather huge series of "almost" good passes and play. It looks to my eyes like they are off by just a little "control" and off in such a way that can be corrected during active play. They are at least trying creative and aggressive play. Germany, on the other hand, is just screwing up simple plays. They do not seem to trust their creative streak.
Germany has a great pass and a good touch screwed up by playing too slowly. It is like they get clean openings and then "think" about it long enough for New Zealand to recover and, maybe, call out for pizza. Germany has no effective urgency in the final third.
I cannot remember that last time I saw any German team get out physicaled by any body. But this New Zealand side is kind of making Germany look like a bunch of "little girls."
0-0 at the half and probably a just result at this point. The commentator is obsessed with statistics. I think he does not watch the match much and just watches his stat sheet for more meaningless info to babble.
The New Zealand 'keeper and back line seem to really enjoy putting themselves in danger. They figure, I guess, "if we get the horrible mistakes out of the way early we do not need to worry about them later."
New Zealand is still being their own worst enemies. The get a very promising attack and then do something stupid or just bad and kill their own attack. I think New Zealand is better than the think they are and their self doubt is killing thier attacks more than Germany is.
Another stupid mistake by New Zealand's back line results in a PK. 2-0 Germany. This match is now mostly following "script." If New Zealand does not improve their back line play this could go to 5 or 6. New Zealand's defense is playing like they are wearing swim flippers instead of cleats. There is now thunder and lightning in the area. I hope that part of the upcoming storm hold off.
My youngest granddaughter just walked by our chat terminal and asked if anything was happening. I said "no" and she kind of wandered back to bed. Her time is about 03:30 and I don't think she will remember getting up when she actually arises later today.