Argentina 1-0 Mexico
Austria 0-0 Panama
Korea DPR 0-0 England
LET NIGERIA COME FIRST!
Obuh Warns Players Against Personal Interests
Flying Eagles coach, John Obuh has warned his wards against playing to the gallery as the U-20 side begins the quest to win the World Youth Championship trophy.
Speaking ahead of today's game against Guatemala, Obuh charges his players to focus on the collective interest of the team rather than seeking personal glory by playing to impress scouts in the tournament.
Obuh said such distractions could affect the players' concentration and ultimately the team as a whole.
“A few players intend to take advantage of this World Cup to awaken the interest of big European clubs and obtain lucrative contracts,” begins Obuh whose squad draws heavily from the exciting generation that finished as runners-up at the FIFA U-17 World Cup in 2009.
“Above all, they don’t want to stay in Nigeria. I never stop telling my players that they need to learn to take care of things in their proper order.
"Right now, they have to focus all their attention on this competition. There’ll be time later to negotiate contracts overseas," Obuh said.
Nigeria came close to winning the trophy in 1989 and 2005 losing by the lone goal on both occassions to Portugal and Argentina in the finals respectively.
Speaking ahead of today's game against Guatemala, Obuh charges his players to focus on the collective interest of the team rather than seeking personal glory by playing to impress scouts in the tournament.
Obuh said such distractions could affect the players' concentration and ultimately the team as a whole.
“A few players intend to take advantage of this World Cup to awaken the interest of big European clubs and obtain lucrative contracts,” begins Obuh whose squad draws heavily from the exciting generation that finished as runners-up at the FIFA U-17 World Cup in 2009.
“Above all, they don’t want to stay in Nigeria. I never stop telling my players that they need to learn to take care of things in their proper order.
"Right now, they have to focus all their attention on this competition. There’ll be time later to negotiate contracts overseas," Obuh said.
Nigeria came close to winning the trophy in 1989 and 2005 losing by the lone goal on both occassions to Portugal and Argentina in the finals respectively.
SPAIN OPEN WITH COSTA RICA
Joel Campbell of Costa Rica and Spain's Sergio Canales are two of the most glistening prospects on planet football. They are set to square off as the Iberians begin their bid to win a second FIFA trophy of the decade and the Central Americans set out to surpass reaching the semi-finals two years ago.
THE STAKES
Spanish football is on a high. They won the FIFA World Cup™ last year and the UEFA European U-21 Championship last month, while the country also houses the UEFA Champions League holders – an exceptional Barcelona side which comprises three graduates of the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Xavi, Andres Iniesta and Gerard Pique. Out to emulate the former, who inspired La Roja to their only triumph in this competition in 1999, will be another supremely talented cast headlined by Real Madrid ace Sergio Canales. But while many believe a Spain victory in their Group C curtain-raiser is a formality, Costa Rica proved themselves a force to be reckoned with in the previous edition of this tournament two year ago, when they reached the semi-finals before a narrow defeat by Brazil ended their trophy hopes. And with Joel Campbell, a tricky forward coveted by a selection of European giants, eager to continue the eye-catching form he showcased at the recent CONCACAF Gold Cup and Copa America events, Spain know they have a game on their hands.
THE STAKES
Spanish football is on a high. They won the FIFA World Cup™ last year and the UEFA European U-21 Championship last month, while the country also houses the UEFA Champions League holders – an exceptional Barcelona side which comprises three graduates of the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Xavi, Andres Iniesta and Gerard Pique. Out to emulate the former, who inspired La Roja to their only triumph in this competition in 1999, will be another supremely talented cast headlined by Real Madrid ace Sergio Canales. But while many believe a Spain victory in their Group C curtain-raiser is a formality, Costa Rica proved themselves a force to be reckoned with in the previous edition of this tournament two year ago, when they reached the semi-finals before a narrow defeat by Brazil ended their trophy hopes. And with Joel Campbell, a tricky forward coveted by a selection of European giants, eager to continue the eye-catching form he showcased at the recent CONCACAF Gold Cup and Copa America events, Spain know they have a game on their hands.
THE STAT
40 – The age that makes Costa Rica's Ronald Gonzalez the youngest coach at this tournament. The former defender, who scored the only goal against Colombia at the FIFA U-20 World Cup in 1989, was, at 19, the youngest player to find the target at the FIFA World Cup one year later.
AUSTRALIA TRY ECUADOR FOR SIZE
The consensus is that Spain will win Group C at the FIFA U-20 World Cup and that the race for second place in the pool, and a guaranteed place in the Round of 16, is a wide-open race between Costa Rica, Australia and Ecuador. If that is to be trusted then much could rest on the outcome of the contest between the South Americans and the Asian representatives.
THE STAKES
The Young Socceroos are adept at hitting the ground running in this competition, having only lost one of their 13 curtain-raisers. And although that was in the previous edition two years ago, Jan Versleijen has a considerably stronger squad this time around, including highly-rated captain Ben Kantarovski and senior international winger Tommy Oar. Sixto Vizuete, who was at the Ecuador reins during their South Africa 2010 qualification bid, also has a full international at his disposal as he leads the country into their second FIFA U-20 World Cup: the jet-heeled Edson Montano, who plays his club football for Gent in Belgium and has been tipped to become one of the finest La Tri forwards in decades.
THE STAT
8 – The number of years since Australia last won a match at the FIFA U-20 World Cup. Since upsetting eventual champions Brazil 3-2 in a group-stage game at UAE 2003, the Socceroos have drawn twice and lost five times. Prior to their current seven-match winless streak, the Australians had recorded 16 victories and losses apiece in the tournament.
THE WORDS
Jan Versleijen, Australia coach: “It is is good to have the majority of the squad back together that did so well at the AFC Championships last year. It is also good to see that since last October the majority of the players have progressed to the starting line-ups of their respective Hyundai A-League or overseas based clubs.”
Sixto Vizuete, Ecuador coach: “We don’t know much about the Australians yet, but in general terms their football has become very European in style. They’ve got very strong players and I can’t see their U-20 squad being any different.”
Jan Versleijen, Australia coach: “It is is good to have the majority of the squad back together that did so well at the AFC Championships last year. It is also good to see that since last October the majority of the players have progressed to the starting line-ups of their respective Hyundai A-League or overseas based clubs.”
Sixto Vizuete, Ecuador coach: “We don’t know much about the Australians yet, but in general terms their football has become very European in style. They’ve got very strong players and I can’t see their U-20 squad being any different.”
WE’LL GIVE EVERYTHING!
Guatemala Coach, Almeida Talks Tough
hough Guatemala will be going into the game against Nigeria as the underdogs, the South American nation have vowed to give their all to at least, make their countrymen happy.
Coach of the side, Almeida Ever while admitting his side’s inexperience at the mundial refuses to be intimidated by Flying Eagles pedigree in the tournament.
“Hard work saw us through the qualifiers and now that we are here, we’ll be giving it everything we’ve got.
“Our goal is obviously to win and bring some happiness to a lot of people,” said the coach.
Guatemala’s qualification for the FIFA U-20 World Cup Colombia 2011 represents an historic first for the central American country. And while Los Chapines have twice appeared at the FIFA Futsal World Cup, qualifying in 2008 and hosting the event in 2000, they have only graced the finals of the Olympics, on three occasions, in terms of FIFA competitions.
Coach of the side, Almeida Ever while admitting his side’s inexperience at the mundial refuses to be intimidated by Flying Eagles pedigree in the tournament.
“Hard work saw us through the qualifiers and now that we are here, we’ll be giving it everything we’ve got.
“Our goal is obviously to win and bring some happiness to a lot of people,” said the coach.
Guatemala’s qualification for the FIFA U-20 World Cup Colombia 2011 represents an historic first for the central American country. And while Los Chapines have twice appeared at the FIFA Futsal World Cup, qualifying in 2008 and hosting the event in 2000, they have only graced the finals of the Olympics, on three occasions, in terms of FIFA competitions.
Frequent participants in the region’s age-category qualifying tournaments, Guatemala have twice finished runners-up at the CONCACAF U-20 Championship and managed podium finishes on another three occasions.
Never before have Guatemala been as happy with a third-place finish as that achieved with their defeat of Panama in April’s CONCACAF qualifying tournament on home soil.
Making the most of home advantage, Almeida’s side followed the script to ensure their presence in Colombia. Having set themselves the goal of qualifying, Guatemala began inauspiciously with a 3-1 reverse at the hands of Honduras, before bouncing back with a 2-0 win over Jamaica to set up a quarter-final showdown against USA.
With a ticket to Colombia up for grabs, the hosts came good with a sensational 2-1 defeat of the Stars and Stripes, sparking joyous scenes of celebration at the Estadio Mateo Flores in Guatemala City. However, their dreams of a regional title were abruptly cut short by Costa Rica, who downed them 2-1 in their semi-final two days later.
Guatemala would finish the qualifiers on a high, though, prevailing against Panama on penalties in the match for third place (0-0, 7-6).
While Guatemala have already achieved much by just qualifying and will see anything else as a bonus, they will nonetheless head into the FIFA U-20 World Cup Colombia 2011 intent on putting on a good performance.
The squad have in Almeida a vastly experienced coach who will doubtless prepare them well for the challenges ahead. With balance throughout the side, the central Americans are capable of defending resolutely when the need arises, and can get forward quickly to exploit spaces with their measured passing.
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