Argentina's Erik Lamela backed up his consequential hype with a scintillating, match-winning performance against Mexico in their FIFA U-20 World Cup opener. The 19-year-old attacking midfielder thrilled throughout and scored the only goal to send La Albiceleste top of Group F, two points above England and Korea DPR, who drew 0-0 earlier today.
There was a nice surprise for all spectators just before kick-off, and an unpleasant one for those caped in blue and white stripes: a combination of heavy downpour and sun had caused a picturesque rainbow to overlook the Estadio Atanasio Girardot, while the name of 18-year-old sensation Juan Iturbe was unexpectedly missing from Walter Perazzo's starting XI.
But if one of Argentina's two mega-prospects was prevented from showcasing his imperial class, the other made up for it. Indeed Lamela's first touch was sumptuous, which proved the prelude to a breathtaking performance.
With 19 minutes gone, the Roma new boy controlled the ball masterfully before producing an equally majestic pass, which would have put Adrian Martinez through on goal had the No14's touch not deserted him.
Mexico first threatened midway through the first half. Cesar Ibanez tricked his way past three opponents before freeing Ulises Davila, whose shot was blocked.
Lamela swiftly regained centre stage, though, skipping past his marker but firing straight at goalkeeper Damian Martinez. Argentina dominated the last ten minutes of the half territorially, but were unable to trouble the Mexico No1.
Much to the delight of the Albiceleste fans, Iturbe began the second half, replacing Matias Laba. Mexico, for their part, withdrew Saul Villalobos for Carlos Orrantia.
Iturbe took only a minute to demonstrate his danger, outsprinting the Mexican backline but firing his shot wide. However, Argentina were given a huge scare on 48 minutes when, after a Davila shot was blocked, Alan Pulido bundled the ball home, only to be ruled offside.
Iturbe, exciting the crowd every time he received possession, came close on 65 minutes, but although his strike had the power, it narrowly lacked sufficient accuracy. The same player then blasted a shot wide after wonderfully working himself into space.
Argentina finally made the breakthrough their play merited on 70 minutes. Lamela broke down the middle, cleverly held off his marker and, despite the pressure of three adversaries, struck the ball into the bottom corner from the edge of the box. Martinez almost made it 2-0 soon afterwards, but his 20-yard piledriver came crashing back off the post.
Content with the one-goal cushion, Argentina kept the ball sensibly for the remainder of the match. They had got what they wanted in the form of three precious points. And witnesses to Lamela's display had got a firm thumbs up to the hype that suggests he has the potential to become a true superstar of the future.
Korea DPR hold wasteful England
Korea DPR gave this FIFA U-20 World Cup an unforeseen start by holding England to a 0-0 draw in Medellin. The result was a severe blow to the Europeans' hopes of reaching the knockout phase, given that they have the competition's record six-time winners Argentina and Mexico, the reigning U-17 champions, still left to play in Group F.
The rain was thrashing down onto the turf in the hours leading up to the game, but it ceased just as the two teams were about engage in battle.
Korea DPR nearly landed the first blow with just five minutes gone, with Jong Il Gwan's firm free-kick going narrowly wide of Jack Butland's post.
England monopolised possession thereafter, though they failed to test Om Jing Song until after the half-hour mark, when Saido Berahino's strike from the edge of the box forced the North Korean number one into a fine save.
The opportunities then began to flow for Brian Eastick's youngsters. First, Matthew Phillips raced down the right and crossed for Billy Knott, who headed wide from six yards out, before the latter set up the former, whose shot failed to trouble Jong.
Knott had two further chances before the break in the form of a 25-yard piledriver that flew just wide, and a back-post header he really should have got on target, while Berahino had the last attempt of the half, though it was comfortably saved by Om.
Unlike the first, the second half was a drab affair, with very few chances. Blair Adams came closest to putting England ahead with a neat free-kick, but Om tipped the ball over.
The lively, inventive Pak Song Chol had the best chance for Korea DPR, who held their own after the break, but he dragged his effort wide after an impressive dribble.
When the referee's whistle brought the 0-0 draw to an end, the players' expression said it all: the North Koreans had pulled off a fine result, while their opponents' possibility of going through had taken a big knock.
Austria, Panama finish goalless
Austria and Panama played out a 0-0 draw in their Group E curtain-raiser at the FIFA U-20 World Cup. The Europeans had the better of the chances, but found goalkeeper Luis Mejia in fine form.
Under 29-degree heat in Cartagena, the crowd revelled in a enchanting performance of music and dance before kick-off.
Then it was down to business, and it was Panama that first produced a fine piece of work, with Francisco Vence feeding Harold Cummings, who drilled his shot just wide. The lively Jose Alvarez then dribbled neatly into the Austrian area, before releasing a limp shot which came to nothing.
Andreas Heraf's team had a glaring chance on 28 minutes. Andreas Weimann fed Robert Zulj, who found himself one-on-one with Panama No1 Luis Mejia following a slip-up by Cummings. The agile goalkeeper parried the forward's initial effort, and then superbly saved Zulj's follow-up attempt.
After the break, Mejia twice denied Weimann, whose team-mate Georg Teigl should have done better when well placed on 75 minutes.
The final opportunity of a tame contest fell to Panama. Eric Davis did well to find Cecilio Waterman, whose shot was punched away by Samuel Radlinger. The referee's whistle confirmed a result which was good for neither side.
Electric Egypt hold Brazil
Brazil's FIFA U-20 World Cup campaign got off to a limp start after they were held, and for large periods outplayed, by a hugely impressive Egypt. In a gripping, chance-high first half, Danilo headed A Seleção ahead before the right-wing back's mistake allowed Omar Gaber to equalise for the Pharaohs. And that is how it finished, leaving several players to lament missed opportunities and four sides level on one point apiece in Group E, following the 0-0 draw between Austria and Panama.
Following a truly breathtaking opening ceremony, which was decorated by traditional Colombian music and dance, along with fireworks, the referee's whistle got the football under way. And if the first three matches of the FIFA U-20 World Cup produced just one goal between them, the frenetic pace at which Matchday 1's remaining contest commenced hinted that the nets in Barranquilla were set to ripple on multiple occasions.
The game exploded into life, and it took Egypt less than 60 seconds to test the nerves of the pro-Brazil crowd. Mohamed Salah eased past the challenge of Danilo down the left wing, cut inside, and dinked an effort narrowly over the bar which may have failed to trouble goalkeeper Gabriel, but certainly succeeded in animating the outnumbered but excited Egyptians.
A Seleção swiftly responded. Casemiro darted through the middle and fed Oscar, who side-stepped his opponent but shot well over from 20 metres, before Salah again raced into the area but, under pressure, shot tamely wide.
Oscar then turned provider, expertly beating Aly Fathy down the right and sending an inviting, low cross into the box that Ahmed Elshenawi did well to push away. However, the rebound fell to Gabriel Silva, who looked set to pull the trigger until Mohamed Yassin made a vital sliding challenge.
On 12 minutes Brazil broke the deadlock. Ney Franco's side had, by then, wasted several corners. However, Philippe Coutinho's cross was pinpoint and Danilo said thanks by powerfully heading it into the net from seven yards, giving Elshenawi no chance.
Many teams may have fallen to pieces; others may have tried to avoid a thrashing. Not Egypt. They went on the offensive and on 16 minutes, this almost paid dividends. A sumptuous one-two between Mohamed Hamdy and Salah resulted in the former finding himself one-on-one with Gabriel, albeit from a difficult angle. The Al Ittihad man produced a fine, low shot which was headed towards the bottom corner until the outstretched leg of the No1 saved Brazil.
Then Mohamed Ibrahim skilfully side-stepped his marker on the edge of the box, but curled his shot over the bar. An equaliser did arrive on 26 minutes, though. After Danilo missed his clearance following a right-wing cross, Omar Gaber controlled the ball inside the box and dispatched a vicious finish past Gabriel.
Egypt were in complete control, and both Hamdy and Ibrahim had opportunities to put them in front before the 35-minute mark. That is when Brazil began to enjoy a spell of possession, though they were unable to threaten Elshenawi until Oscar's impressive strike went narrowly wide of the upright.
Two minutes later a thrilling first 45 was brought to a close. It was a half in which the Africans had given their illustrious adversaries plenty of trouble.
It took just two minutes following the restart for Egypt to miss their first chance of the second half, and what a miss it was. After Brazil failed to clear a left-wing cross, Hamdy unselfishly teed up Gaber, who fired a bouncing shot wide from 12 yards out.
On 56 minutes, Casemiro released substitute forward Negueba, who fed Willian. The No9 put the ball in the back of the net only to have it ruled out for offside.
Soon after, Gabriel flapped at the ball following a corner, and it almost fell to Salah before Brazil cleared their lines. At the other end, Negueba, who certainly got involved following his introduction, blasted a rebound narrowly wide from inside a crowded box.
The action stalled thereafter, with the players appearing tired, though Dudu did make one eye-catching burst into the area before being dispossessed.
Elshenawi was stretchered off late on, but Brazil had insufficient time to trouble his replacement, Mohamed Awwad. It was a night to forget for the South Americans. It was one to remember for Egypt – and one that could have returned three points rather than one had their finishing matched their build-up play.
發表於 2011-7-30 01:56 PM
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