2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup 23rd May - 15th June

[Spiersey]

Bit early to start a thread for this but currently going through all the squads now so figured I might as well make one.


United only have Dalot and Ercolani (Italy) representing them this time.
Group A
Poland
Tahiti
Colombia
Senegal

Group B
Mexico
Italy
Japan
Ecuador

Group C
Honduras
New Zealand
Uruguay
Norway

Group D
Qatar
Nigeria
Ukraine
USA

Group E
Panama
Mali
France
Saudi Arabia

Group F
Portugal
South Korea
Argentina
South Africa

Bit weird with none of England, Germany, Spain or Holland being there. The European nations that have qualified are all pretty strong, Norway are capable of causing an upset I think. Think all the games should be streamed, u20's WC has been my favourite youth comp over the last 5 years, hopefully this one lives up to the previous ones.

 

[The Nani]

Glad England aren’t involved. Our youngsters would be knackered by January if so.

 

[SCP]

I would like to watch this competition with the attention it deserves but beside the Portugal matches broadcasted here I don’t know if I have time to follow other teams.

Anyway from Europe the other day I checked the final list from France and on paper they look a strong team.

Italy and Portugal also good squads but it’s a open competition, despite Equador recently winning the under 20 from Conmebol I have more curiosity about Argentina or Uruguay.

Also USA, Mexico, and some African teams. Can’t say there is a single favourite.

 

[Spiersey]

I would like to watch this competition with the attention it deserves but beside the Portugal matches broadcasted here I don’t know if I have time to follow other teams.

Anyway from Europe the other day I checked the final list from France and on paper they look a strong team.

Italy and Portugal also good squads but it’s a open competition, despite Equador recently winning the under 20 from Conmebol I have more curiosity about Argentina or Uruguay.

Also USA, Mexico, and some African teams. Can’t say there is a single favourite.

Portugal and France on paper are the strongest by a fair bit. Italy side isn't as good as the one from the Euros, no Kean or Zaniolo, both huge misses obviously.

The Uruguay side is good, I watched a lot of the Conmebol u20s and they were very impressive, think them and Norway will be a close game.

The Mexico side is really poor, must be one of their worst ever generations. They only beat El Salvador 1-0 and deservedly drew with both Panama and Jamaica. USA outclassed them as well and they didn't have Sargent, Weah or Taylor for the game.
Mali look good on paper as well but they've had really bad prep. Were meant to fly last Thursday and the FA messed up all their VISA's so they didn't fly until earlier this week so think they missed 1/2 planned friendlies.

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Thought this was quite interesting. 90% of Mexico's value comes from Lainez. Unsure on previous years but would be surprised if there was usually this big of disparity between some of the top sides. Obviously Italy would be much higher if the two mentioned earlier were playing. France's value actually looks very conservative as well, would imagine it's closer to double if the players were to actually be sold.

 

[SCP]

@Spiersey

Yes I talked about Mexico based on Lainez, but it’s true they were runners up in the Concacaf under 20, Italy probably doesn’t have the same depth to cover the players who went to the under 21’s and the first team, but they have been improving in the last years in every age group.

Regarding the African teams there is always 1 or 2 teams who are strong at this level. Honestly Ecuador has some talented players but they are on a tough group. Need to check better the Argentina squad.

 

[Tomuś]

Got the tickets for one of the last 16 ties and it should be fun to watch. I like how cheap it is to buy. They probably want to create better atmosphere around it. It's a great tournament, plenty big names started there. 10 PLN (£2) for a ticket sounds great value for money. Whole families will go to see the home team and the bigger games.

 

[Spiersey]

Starts tomorrow. Every game is streamed as far as I know. Think FreeSports have it in the UK, unsure how much games they will show.

 

[Classical Mechanic]

Bit weird with none of England, Germany, Spain or Holland being there. The European nations that have qualified are all pretty strong, Norway are capable of causing an upset I think. Think all the games should be streamed, u20's WC has been my favourite youth comp over the last 5 years, hopefully this one lives up to the previous ones.

For England it was due to the u19 Euros last year. Due to the World Cup most of the players went on tour with their clubs in pre-season. England had 20 withdrawals with probably only Chalobah and Sterling going that would have made the squad with all options available. They needed to beat France in the last group game to get through but got battered 5-0. One of the most embarrassing results for England at any level in history.

 

[Spiersey]

For England it was due to the u19 Euros last year. Due to the World Cup most of the players went on tour with their clubs in pre-season. England had 20 withdrawals with probably only Chalobah and Sterling going that would have made the squad with all options available. They needed to beat France in the last group game to get through but got battered 5-0. One of the most embarrassing results for England at any level in history.

Yeah remember that game, was surreal to watch. The 3-0 v Norway was nearly just as embarrassing. That game was a play off to qualify for this and they simply didn't turn up at all then either.

Tahiti Senegal be an interesting watch later. Tahiti don't look great at all from highlights I've watched but they've a few French based players. They played some French u19 sides as well as Prep and did pretty decent. Unsure exactly what level they will be.

 

[Classical Mechanic]

Yeah remember that game, was surreal to watch. The 3-0 v Norway was nearly just as embarrassing. That game was a play off to qualify for this and they simply didn't turn up at all then either.

Tahiti Senegal be an interesting watch later. Tahiti don't look great at all from highlights I've watched but they've a few French based players. They played some French u19 sides as well as Prep and did pretty decent. Unsure exactly what level they will be.

Damn, forgot about the Norway game. A tournament to forget certainly.

 

[Spiersey]

Senegal scored after about 15 seconds, great start to the comp. Very nice goal from Italy as well.

 

[Spiersey]

Senegal pissed about since 3-0 here. Theres a very good chance they go out on goal difference due to it. Will be a tight group and the other two should hammer Tahiti, especially if they need goals.

 

[VanGaalyTime]

Bit early to start a thread for this but currently going through all the squads now so figured I might as well make one.


United only have Dalot and Ercolani (Italy) representing them this time.
Group A
Poland
Tahiti
Colombia
Senegal

Group B
Mexico
Italy
Japan
Ecuador

Group C
Honduras
New Zealand
Uruguay
Norway

Group D
Qatar
Nigeria
Ukraine
USA

Group E
Panama
Mali
France
Saudi Arabia

Group F
Portugal
South Korea
Argentina
South Africa

Bit weird with none of England, Germany, Spain or Holland being there. The European nations that have qualified are all pretty strong, Norway are capable of causing an upset I think. Think all the games should be streamed, u20's WC has been my favourite youth comp over the last 5 years, hopefully this one lives up to the previous ones.

I'm putting all my money on Tahiti.

 

[lysglimt]

Norway actually look strong and can do well - the key match should be Uruguay. A result in that game and they should have a big chance of qualifying from the Group. I don't know much about Honduras and NZ - but they don't sound too scary.

 

[Spiersey]

Norway actually look strong and can do well - the key match should be Uruguay. A result in that game and they should have a big chance of qualifying from the Group. I don't know much about Honduras and NZ - but they don't sound too scary.

NZ are really poor from what I've seen of them. Not seen much of Honduras but think they are poor either. It would be a big upset if Norway didn't make it through the group stage. Game should be pretty close with Uruguay, I make it about 50/50.

 

[Spiersey]

Really impressive performance from Italy there. Mexico side is pretty poor but Italy looked very good.

Colombia Poland should be a good watch. Favour Colombia there, they were okay at the Sudamericano. Think it's almost a sellout stadium, which is nice.

 

[Tomuś]

Really impressive performance from Italy there. Mexico side is pretty poor but Italy looked very good.

Colombia Poland should be a good watch. Favour Colombia there, they were okay at the Sudamericano. Think it's almost a sellout stadium, which is nice.

They set the prices at £2, which is dirty cheap and affordable for anyone. To give you sense of perspective about Polish money, that's two-thirds of the cheapest packet of cigarettes. Think they wanted to fill the stadiums. Can't complain. Bought 5 tickets for a last 16 tie immediately and could've afforded that even if I was nigh-on broke.

EDIT: I can see some venues selling at £1 . Great value for money.

 

[SCP]

Watched today the Colombia game. Have to say they surprised me on a good way. Better try to see them again vs Senegal if I can catch a stream on the day. Senegal will cause them much more problems for sure.

 

[Spiersey]

They set the prices at £2, which is dirty cheap and affordable for anyone. To give you sense of perspective about Polish money, that's two-thirds of the cheapest packet of cigarettes. Think they wanted to fill the stadiums. Can't complain. Bought 5 tickets for a last 16 tie immediately and could've afforded that even if I was nigh-on broke.

EDIT: I can see some venues selling at £1 . Great value for money.

Great to hear, how it should be. People will always flock to these tournaments if the tickets are cheap.


Was very disappointed with Poland yesterday. Isn't a great side but they were poor, maybe the pressure got to them a bit.

Games today are nice. USA got a decent gen here, they could go far even without Taylor and Sargent. Ukraine got Tshiatvilli who is excellent. Was near unstoppable in the UYL, no-one could get near him. He's a big talent, definitely one to watch.
Don't know too much about Honduras really but NZ seem really poor, probably not a game worth watching on paper.
Qatar were very open at the u19s AFC, aren't that great defensively but decent enough going forward. Nigeria will be similar I imagine. Should be a good game to watch.
Norway Uruguay should be good as well. Norway will be open, definitely stronger in attack than defence, Haland the stand out talent for them.

 

[MrMarcello]

US Roster. Good to see three current FC Dallas academy players and one former (Richards) in the squad.

Anyone know about the keepers in the squad?

Goalkeepers: C.J. Dos Santos (Benfica, Portugal), David Ochoa (Salt Lake), Brady Scott (Cologne, Germany)
Defenders: Sergino Dest (Ajax, Netherlands), Chris Gloster (Hannover, Germany), Aboubacar Keita (Richmond), Mark McKenzie (Philadelphia), Matthew Real (Philadelphia), Chris Richards (Bayern Munich, Germany)
Midfielders: Edwin Cerrillo (Dallas), Chris Durkin (D.C,), Richard Ledezma (PSV Eindhoven, Netherlands), Alex Mendez (Freiburg, Germany), Paxton Pomykal (Dallas), Brandon Servania (Dallas)
Forwards: Ayo Akinola (Toronto). Konrad De La Fuente (Barcelona, Spain), Ulysses Llanez (Wolfsburg, Germany), Justin Rennicks (New England), Sebastian Soto (Hannover, Germany), Tim Weah (Celtic, Scotland)

 

[Spiersey]

New Zealand a hell of a lot better than I expected. Played some great stuff so far.

 

[MrMarcello]

Nigeria attack looked full of quality although I cannot determine if that was also helped by Qatar defending/lack of quality.

US/Ukraine up next.

 

[lysglimt]

Always fun when English commentators are destroying the norwegian names...Børkeeiet is a good name for the brits to pronounce

 

[lysglimt]

Corrupt referees!

 

[Samid]

Men against boys.

 

[MrMarcello]

USA equalize. Good decision from Weah to play into the box versus try to shoot against his run, and a great run to attack the space by Servania with a quality toe-poke finish.

 

[antohan]

Men against boys.

How are we playing? Stuck at work

 

[Kaglish10]

Nigeria attack looked full of quality although I cannot determine if that was also helped by Qatar defending/lack of quality.

US/Ukraine up next.

Chukwueze should have been called up though.

 

[Spiersey]

How are we playing? Stuck at work

Uruguay been okay. 2-0 is flattering though, first goal was a screamer. Uruguay been helped by the left side of Norway defence not tracking any runs.

 

[antohan]

Uruguay been okay. 2-0 is flattering though, first goal was a screamer. Uruguay been helped by the left side of Norway defence not tracking any runs.

I'll take it

 

[lysglimt]

Will probably be another goal here - either Haaland equalizes or Uruguay gets a third

 

[lysglimt]

Uruguay madly lucky there

 

[lysglimt]

Well - certainly not a deserved win but Uruguay deserve credit for taking their chances

 

[Rozay]

Dalot starting for Portugal today. They also have Rafael Leao, Vinagre, Florentino and Jota in the team, so a very strong squad they have gone with.

 

[SCP]

Well Portugal 1:0 vs South Korea but next Tuesday vs Argentina they need to raise their level.

Don’t know if the high temperature was influencing the game or the hour at they were playing, but many wrong decisions and lack of inspiration.

Anyway 3 points will be ok.

 

[SER19]

Well Portugal 1:0 vs South Korea but next Tuesday vs Argentina they need to raise their level.

Don’t know if the high temperature was influencing the game or the hour at they were playing, but many wrong decisions and lack of inspiration.

Anyway 3 points will be ok.

How was dalot

 

[SCP]

How was dalot

Like the rest of the team. Needs to raise the level next game.

 

[Mic]

I expect them to win this tournament.

 

[Spiersey]

Well Portugal 1:0 vs South Korea but next Tuesday vs Argentina they need to raise their level.

Don’t know if the high temperature was influencing the game or the hour at they were playing, but many wrong decisions and lack of inspiration.

Anyway 3 points will be ok.

Thought Portugal looked good first 30 or so. Seemed to stop playing after the disallowed goal for 2-0. Can only improve really.

 

[SCP]

Thought Portugal looked good first 30 or so. Seemed to stop playing after the disallowed goal for 2-0. Can only improve really.

It looked to me the team was more comfortable on the first half when South Korea allowed more space for them to counter. Second half with less space they struggled more. Next Tuesday Argentina will cause different problems.