U20 World Cup Chewing Gum #3: The German Blitzkrieg
It’s always an uphill battle for the minnows at these tournaments, but no matter how the result ends up, you’re left with an irreplaceable memory. This Fijian team is the first to ever represent their nation at this level and can now forever tie their fates to those of this highly impressive German team. A few years down the track, the likes of Julian Brandt and Marc Stendera might find themselves in a World Cup final and their opponents on a sunny Christchurch day in June 2015 can say: ‘I played against him’. Imagine that. Imagine being able to tell people that. What an incredible thing.
There are more important things than the result, sometimes. Seeing the pure emotion as several Fijian players stood proudly with tears rolling down their faces during the anthems was undeniably moving.
After a couple of days of solid, structured football, all of a sudden teams started throwing complete caution into the wind. There were 28 goals in celebration of the Queen’s Birthday, compared to 16 on the first two days combined. Defence? Never heard of it. No, that’s harsh, some teams defended quite well but there’s only so much you can do sometimes.
Germany 8-1 Fiji
Ruthless efficiency, that’s German stereotyping 101 right there. It was well on show against minnows Fiji too, as the European U19 champs showed all the style and class that you’d expect of them. They took nothing for granted in the first half, working hard and creating plenty of chances and were duly 6-0 up after 45. But Fiji got their moment after the break, a fine cross by Setareki Hughes onto the head of Iosefo Verevou, who masterfully nodded it beyond the German keeper. Wonderful moment. Germany took the foot off the pedal in the second but striker Hany Mukhtar still managed to complete his hattrick.
Nigeria 2-4 Brazil
One of the matches of the tournament, no doubt. Nigeria are young and enthusiastic, built largely from the side that won the U17 World Cup, while Brazil gave us exactly what we all will have hoped and expected. They were a little sloppier than Argentina or Germany, but made up for that with the odd touches of Brazilian genius. However their dedication to lovely, attacking football consistently left them pitifully stretched at the back and Nigeria hammered them for it. There were some brilliant goals in this game, set up by some outrageous skill – like Musa Yahaya’s rabona/through ball or Joao Pedro’s backheeled assist. Brazil shuffled things at the break and tidied their defence, eventually taking it 4-2 thanks to a couple Nigerian mistakes. Both teams will be deep threats at NZ2015.
Uzbekistan 3-4 Honduras
An undercover thriller. None of these players are big names yet they gave us one hell of a spectacle. Honduras got off to the perfect start with an early goal direct from a Jhow Benavidez free kick, a lead which they soon doubled on their next decent foray on attack. But the Uzbekis came back, scoring once and they were unlucky not to go into HT on level pegging. Another free kick to make it 3-1 might have wrapped this up on another day… just not on this one. It was 3-2 with 11 left, and Uzbekistan streaming forward for that glorious equaliser. But as so often happens, it left them limited at the back and Honduras finished it off in injury time on the counter attack, Bryan Rochez holding off his marker and holding his nerve too (despite his boot half falling off) to score his second of the game. Somehow there was still time for Uzbekistan to make it 4-3, a mental game.
Korea DPR 1-5 Hungary
This game was one for those who like burning goalkeepers at the stake (Do they float? Then they must be goalies!). Keepers errors were everywhere, whether it was the Hungarian gloveman staying on his line or the North Korean one rushing out and getting beaten, then rushing out and getting beaten again. Then once more for good luck. Can’t imagine that the Great Leader was too impressed by this showing on the international stage. But credit to Hungary who look to have a very handy side.
The Main Men
Hany Mukhtar (Germany) – Hattrick hero, he was trying hard for that third goal and finally got it from the penalty spot with only minutes to play. His first was a driving shot from the edge of the box, the second a pure striker’s finish after some nice work from Julian Brandt.
Bence Mervo (Hungary) – Mukhtar wasn’t the only hatty hero on this day, Bence Mervo bagged a treble against North Korea, his strength and skill making him an absolutely torrid task for his opponents.
Gabriel Jesus (Brazil) – A powerful young forward, with an eye for the spectacular. He scored one and could’ve had more. His strike partner Judivan was a handful too, this side is gonna be full of goals.
Musa Yahaya (Nigeria) – A fine goal and an audacious assist, against the kings of audacity in Brazil. Plenty to savour despite the result from the young Tottenham winger.
Niklas Stark (Germany) – It’s been a rough few years for the Stark family, so shout out to Niklas who bagged a double from centre back. Next up he’s planning on taking revenge for the murder of his family at the Red Wedding. (Game of Thrones joke, sorry).
