U20 World Cup Chewing Gum #4: The Downpour Exudes
Four days in and the goals continue to flow with the rain. It’s a shame for the crowds that the weather’s taken the star of winter very literally but it thankfully hasn’t had an effect on the games themselves. Seriously, you aren’t gonna see better standards of football on these shores for a long time. They may be young, most of them teenagers, but they’re also the cream of the crop from the next generation of players and there’s no substitute for natural talent, as they say. Angel Correa of Argentina, for example… he’s a player so freakin’ skilful that it’s hard to believe. The ball falls to him ahead of the defensive line and he’s played an inch perfect through ball before you’re even finished picking your jaw up from the ground after his immaculate first touch.
Into the second round of games now, results are the real deal. You can get away with a sloppy start (America did) but two sub-par games in a row and you may be looking at an abrupt end to your tournament. Luckily there’s the carrot of third-place finishers sneaking through (four of the six of them anyway) except that that’ll mean a much tougher opposition in the knockouts. See, this isn’t just an exhibition of phenomenal young footballers – it’s also a tournament. And you can be damn sure that teams are out to win it.
Ukraine 6-0 Myanmar
Ukraine are all but through to the next round after hitting Myanmar for six in the second half in Whangarei. It was 0-0 at half time, with the AFC side battling well and creating a few chances largely through the hard work of striker Aung Thu, while Ukraine once again were suffering for their lack of composure in front of goal. They were easily the better side, completely dominating physically and getting the ball forward quickly, just without the end product. However frustration turned to jubilation when Valerii Luchkevych came on at half time. He missed the first game against New Zealand because he was busy hanging out in the match squad for Dnipro in the Europa League final, and as soon as he arrived his side sorted everything out. Between the 51st and 77th minutes, they scored six times in a flurry of goals. And that doesn’t include the penalty that they missed in that time, Thiha Htet Aung sent off for raking a ball off the goal line with his hands.
Austria 2-1 Panama
They came into the tournament with few outside expectations but Austria are pretty much through to the next round now after coming from behind in this game. Panama took a 38th minute lead through the absolute powerhouse that is Fidel Escobar, the defender scoring a second screamer in two games in NZ. But right before the break the Austrians levelled from a deep free kick, skimming off the head of Panama captain Chin Hormechea and into the net (off a free kick he gave away, too). Rough stuff for him and it got plenty worse. Austria took the lead in the 51st minute when Andreas Gruber sweetly turned in Bernd Gschweidl’s gorgeous cross. And although Panama were good value in the first half, they just couldn’t foot it with the Austrians in the second, especially not as the rain started falling like bullets (cheers, Wellington). A missed penalty helped them out a bit, but then two red cards in three minutes (80-82) basically meant doom. Not even Jaime De Gracia’s second penalty save of the game could lift them. Hormechea was one of those dismissed, a red card and an own goal in the same match, someone buy that fella a drink. Austria put the game on ice after that. The Panamanians were devastated but the Austrians deserved it.
New Zealand 0-4 USA
The hosts got a bit of a lesson, as a mightily good American side put four past them. They absolutely bossed the midfield with Emerson Hyndman and Gedion Zelalam never looking less than comfortable. The first goal came early, Rubio Rubin showing the dark side of the fabled ‘Striker’s Instinct’ as he shamefully poached Bradford Jamieson’s effort on the line, after Cameron Carter-Vickers had smashed a dent in the post with a header from a corner. It was a brutal blow just 6 minutes in, before the kiwis had the chance to grow with any confidence. Ollie Sail made a couple nice saves to repel the rampant Yankees, but he fluffed one for their second goal (to Hyndman). Paul Arriola added one after half time, then a complete mix-up near the end gave Rubio another goal. New Zealand did put up a fine rally towards the end but couldn’t break the defence. America are the first team confirmed through, while NZ will probably need a win against Myanmar if they’re to follow them.
Argentina 2-3 Ghana
A really high quality game between two teams with eyes on the title. Both had disappointing draws first up too, so that only added to the desperation. Despite the pedigree of the Argies, it was Ghana that definitely began on top. The pace and enterprise of the likes of Yaw Yeboah, Benjamin Tetteh and Clifford Aboagye (who missed the Austria game due to visa issues) were pressingly dangerous and at times it was only the ever-solid Augusto Batalla (the ARG goalie – currently lined with Real Madrid) who kept them out. When Ben Tetteh’s deflected shot finally beat him, it was no less than Ghana deserved. Argentina pressed for a goal of their own – any time Angel Correa is on the ball it’s a threat – but instead found themselves on the end of some lightning-quick counter attacks. Aboagye guided one into the very bottom corner to make it 2-0, then a Yeboah penalty (his second in two games) made it 3-0. Argentina made an already entertaining game an absolute thriller with two late goals, but after 98 minutes of football, they came up just short. 44 shots between the two sides in total, an incredible number. This was Argentina’s first loss in 19 U20 World Cup games and suddenly they’re left needing a result against undefeated Austria just to advance.
The Main Men
Viktor Kovalenko (Ukraine) – One of the Shakhtar Donetsk lads in this team. He was immense in the middle of the park, scoring twice and creating a bunch of chances as he drifted forward.
Jaime De Gracia (Panama) – Hey, look, his team may have lost but it was through no fault of their goalkeeper. De Gracia saved two penalties, one to his left and one to his right.
Benjamin Tetteh (Ghana) – What an industrious player this bloke is. Long, lanky, beanpole legs, he’s far more than just a target man up top (though the dude can win a header, that’s for sure). Tetteh is forever coming looking for the ball, and the way he links up with teammates is crucial to the flow of this side on attack. The 17 year old (!) is still playing in Ghana, if a European academy doesn’t snap him up soon then they’re all bloody mental.
Cameron Carter-Vickers (USA) – Despite being built like a reinforced tank, Carter-Vickers is shockingly still just 17 as well. He’s a Tottenham Hotspur prospect, born in Southend to an American pro-basketballing father. Against New Zealand he was completely assured, powerful in the air and confident on the ball. Pitiless and supreme. Unlucky not to get a goal or two as well.
Luis Pereira (Panama) – Save of the tournament? He picked up a red card for it, but damn what an effort! Funnily enough, it was the second red card for a handball on the line in two games (both penalties were missed) but the funniest part was that Pereira had the temerity to actually complain when the ref blew the whistle. “BALL TO HAND, REF!”
