FIFA U20 World Cup

[igor5]

USA - Uruguay

USA is a favorite but odds right now are joke

Austria - Gambia

Odds for Gambia are too low at the moment(around evens),i watch them twice they are playing good but they are making BIG mistakes in the back line and Austria should be able to score and take something from this game.....

Japan - Czech Republic

I saw Japan against Scotland good organized team and they could go in the next stage

[allthethings]

Originally Posted by igor5

Spain-Brazil

Brazil is a favorite in this match,f... that
@2.81 Betfair for Spain is too big price ,I realy don`t understand why they should be underdogs in this match,i believe this is going to be high scoring game and that case Spain should be able to put couple of more goals in the net of Brazil




My money are going on Spain @2.81 ...6 pts

On Spain also, they have shown a lot more than Brazil and evens for DNB is a gift. Also taking over 2.5 as a cover as I would imagine Brazil won't slow Spain down and will have to play it their way.

[novasport]

what does everyone think about the round of 8??

i think USA actually has a nice chance of moving on and i continue to love mexico.

[novasport]

what are everyone's thoughts on USA's chances to advance to the semis? i happen to like them in the round of 8. they came on strong in the end against Uruguay.

[allthethings]

Originally Posted by novasport

what are everyone's thoughts on USA's chances to advance to the semis? i happen to like them in the round of 8. they came on strong in the end against Uruguay.

If they had a hard time breaking Uruguay's defense I can't imagine they'll have an easy time against Austria...will have to see what the line is when my book gets around to it...

[$olvent]

Saturday, July 14, 2007
8:15 PM Austria (U20) 4.00 X 3.45 USA (U20) 1.75 +8

Sunday, July 15, 2007
1:45 AM Spain (U20) 1.44 X 3.80 Czech Republic (U20) 6.50 +8
8:15 PM Chile (U20) 2.50 X 3.20 Nigeria (U20) 2.50 +8

Monday, July 16, 2007
1:45 AM Argentina (U20) 1.90 X 3.40 Mexico (U20) 3.40 +8

bwin

[$olvent]

Quarter-finals set at FIFA U-20
CBC Sports

Reigning champion Argentina takes on Mexico Sunday in Ottawa in the marquee match of the quarter-final round at the FIFA U-20 World Cup

Argentina relied on two sensational goals from Sergio Aguero to defeat a resilient Poland 3-1 in second-round play Thursday before a sellout crowd of 19,526 spectators at BMO Field.

Argentina, the reigning world champion and winner of a record five world titles — including four of the last six — looked every bit the class of this tournament against Poland, putting on a masterful display of attacking soccer thus far unrivalled in Canada.

"I believe we had a great attitude, because we were always looking to score goals. We have quality players who are always looking to score and that was the difference," Argentina coach Hugo Tocalli said.

"We showed a lot of character."

Mexico survived a stern test from stubborn Congo, as Giovanni dos Santos scored the decisive goal on a penalty kick in the 23rd minute to lift his team to a 3-0 win before a boisterous crowd of 40,204 at Olympic Stadium in Montreal.

It marked the third goal in three matches for the flamboyant Mexican midfielder, and stood up in a spirited match that saw no fewer than eight yellow cards and one expulsion (Franchel Ibara) that left Congo shorthanded for the final 42 minutes.

Now a date with Argentina awaits the Mexicans.

"We will be playing a [South American] rival, and we'll play with the same intensity as in the other games," Mexican coach Jesus Ramirez said. "I know the Argentine team and I know their technical staff.

"We met them a month ago in Chile. We'll play hard."

[scouser]

Well after correctly predicting 7 of the last 8 games my little system is still holding up: This is money for old rope. ! here are the last four with their ratings:
Austria 73 vs USA 87
Spain 90 vs Czech 98
Chile 92 vs Nigeria 81
Argentina 95 vs Mexico 80

My interpretation : ]USA] to win @ 8/11, Spain and the Czech to draw {tie]@ 5/2, Chile to wn 11/8, Argentina to win 5/6. I don't like the ratings for the spain czech game they should be reversed !!. Ole !
6 50pt doubles..at Willie Hill.

[allthethings]

My book just posted it, and I'm on it:

Soccer - Austria U20 - spread +½ (+115)
for the regulation time held on Jul 14 at 1:15pm [pending]

Small stake:

Soccer - Austria U20 - moneyline (+415)
for the regulation time held on Jul 14 at 1:15pm [pending]

Austria faces the US...they are not as good as the US, but they are better organized and tighter on defense. The first bet, well, they just have to draw for me to win, and I watched the US have all sorts of problems with Uruguay, managing to draw in regulation 1-1 on a 87th minute own-goal. The ML bet, well, why not?

[novasport]

Originally Posted by allthethings

My book just posted it, and I'm on it:

Soccer - Austria U20 - spread +½ (+115)
for the regulation time held on Jul 14 at 1:15pm [pending]

Small stake:

Soccer - Austria U20 - moneyline (+415)
for the regulation time held on Jul 14 at 1:15pm [pending]

Austria faces the US...they are not as good as the US, but they are better organized and tighter on defense. The first bet, well, they just have to draw for me to win, and I watched the US have all sorts of problems with Uruguay, managing to draw in regulation 1-1 on a 87th minute own-goal. The ML bet, well, why not?

good call on this game. what are your thoughts for the next round?

[allthethings]

Originally Posted by novasport

good call on this game. what are your thoughts for the next round?

Austria DNB +124

Face it, Czechs have been very fortunate, getting out-possessed, out-cornered and outplayed mostly, but they grind out shootout wins. I'm a bit worried about Austria's missing defenders, but I think they will hold the ball and get their shots, whether they convert is another story. But they're disciplined and I think they can handle the Czechs. I'm considering taking a little on straight-up win at +190 also...

[allthethings]

In regulation:

CZE 1-4-0
AUS 2-3-0

A few stats:

CZE Possession per game: 41, 47, 53 (Panama, Czechs' only win in regulation), 39, 44
CZE shots per game: 3-29, 11-16, 12-6 (Panama, Czechs' only win in regulation), 26-27, 14-30

Austria not great in possession, but haven't been dominated there: 46, 46, 43, 52, 48
AUS shots per game: 9-13, 19-10, 15-20, 15-11, 22-15

[allthethings]

Originally Posted by allthethings

In regulation:

CZE 1-4-0
AUS 2-3-0

A few stats:

CZE Possession per game: 41, 47, 53 (Panama, Czechs' only win in regulation), 39, 44
CZE shots per game: 3-29, 11-16, 12-6 (Panama, Czechs' only win in regulation), 26-27, 14-30

Austria not great in possession, but haven't been dominated there: 46, 46, 43, 52, 48
AUS shots per game: 9-13, 19-10, 15-20, 15-11, 22-15

Well, throw all the stats out...0-2 in 15 minutes...

[$olvent]

Sunday, July 22, 2007

6:15 PM Austria (U20) 3.45 X 3.10 Chile (U20) 2.00 +13

9:15 PM Czech Republic (U20) 5.00 X 3.75 Argentina (U20) 1.55 +13

[$olvent]

FIFA U-20 World Cup final predictions

Last Updated: Saturday, July 21, 2007 | 2:10 PM ET CBC Sports

And then there were two.

Sunday's FIFA U-20 World Cup final in Toronto (CBC, 2:30 p.m. ET) pits Argentina against the Czech Republic in a Group E rematch from earlier in the tournament.
Argentina will be looking to repeat as champions and claim its sixth world title, while the Czechs will attempt to become the first European team in eight years to take the crown.

Who will win?

Here's what the CBC Sports experts have to say:

CRAIG FORREST, Commentator, CBC Sports
So we have come the full circle. These two teams played their opening match of the tournament against one another and now they meet again in the final.

The score back on June 30 was 0-0, and shots were 29 to 3 in favour of Argentina, and if that happens again it's likely that Argentina will win comfortably.

However, this time could be different. If Czech Republic gets tight to Argentina, stops Argentina's passing game, uses its height and strength to its advantage — they are the tallest time in the tournament — and capitalize on its scoring opportunities, this could be a historic day for Czech Republic.

Argentina does have some lineup concerns. Through suspension they will be missing Matias Cahais and Claudio Yacob, and Angel Di Maria is injured. Coach Hugo Tocalli has a strong bench but how will this disrupt his team that has been unchanged for the last three games?

Prediction: I am looking forward to the tactical battle, but I see Argentina coming out on top 3-1.

DICK HOWARD, Commentator, CBC Sports
Argentina will be strong favourites to win their fifth title in the last seven years when they face the surprising team from the Czech Republic in Sunday's final.

It will not be an easy task for the "Albicelestes" (white and sky blues). The Czech Republic has brought back memories of the amazing success of Greece in EURO 2004, when a team without stars triumphed due to disciplined defending, efficient organization and a great work ethic.

Miroslav Soukop's team bring similar values to the game.

The "Cesti Ivi" (Czech Lions) have also shown determination in the face of adversity, with no better example than the inspired comeback to tie the talented team from Japan after being two goals down in their round-of-16 contest.

Both teams are solid between the posts. Sergio Romero has continued where he left off in the CONMEBOL qualifying tournament and is tops in the goals-against department, having only conceded one goal in six games. His opposite number, Radek Petr, has been equally impressive despite having conceded six goals in six games, the result of a heavier workload. Petr has been especially impressive in the penalty kick shootout.

It is shaping up to be a tactical battle, with the Czech Republic utilizing a 4-1-3-2 formation that relies on block defending and fast counter-attacks. Argentina, on the other hand, often utilizes a flexible 4-4-2, with the impressive Ever Banega a key figure in the centre of the midfield.

Sergio "El Kun" Aguero leads the scoring charts with five goals and has impressed with his finishing ability from a wide range of situations, none better than his "Pele goal" in the game against Poland. Martin Fenin, in contrast, may not have the technical ability of his counterpart but he has still managed to score some key goals for the Czechs.

Ondrej Kudela and Lubos Kalouda have also got on the score sheet but it has been the technical skills of one of the smallest players in the tournament, Maximiliano Moralez, that has excited the crowds when Argentina has been in action. No better example than his assist and goal in the semifinal game against Chile.

Several key players will be missing in action due to either injury or suspension with Argentine coach Hugo Tocalli likely to suffer the most with the absence of Angel Di Maria, influential midfielder Claudio Yacob and team captain Matias Cahais. In contrast Czech Republic will only miss hard-working midfielder Petr Janda.

Set plays could well figure in the final outcome, as could the team that scores the first goal.

Prediction: Argentina to erase the memory of the scoreless tie in the opening game of the tournament and win 2-0 for their sixth title.

BOB LENARDUZZI, Commentator, CBC Sports
They played early on in this tournament and it was 0-0, but I think the Czechs have come a long way since then.

I thought the Czechs' performance against Austria in the first half of semifinals was as good as any team's first-half performance in this tournament. I thought they played pretty good soccer; the second goal was clinical, one-touch passing right down the right-hand side with six or seven passes.

They have the capabilities to do that and at the same they've demonstrated that they're very disciplined defensively, and I would think that's the route they're going to take Sunday.

Despite all of that, I think Argentina will win. They have enough offensive firepower to get the result.

I think Sergio Aguero is their key player. Even though he hasn't been as dynamic in the last two games, he has that ability to do something special and be that special player in the game. He can turn a game on his own, if he's in the mood and is allowed to.

Prediction: Argentina 2, Czech Republic 0

JOHN F. MOLINARO, Editor, 2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup, CBCSports
This should be a good tactical affair, with the Czechs trying to contain the dangerous Argentines.

People have criticized the Czech Republic for its defensive approach, but I think that's unfair because they're capable of playing attacking soccer — remember their second goal against Austria in the semifinals?

Playmaker Marek Strestik has been a major disappointment. He's been touted as the Czechs' best player, but goalkeeper Radek Petr and striker Martin Fenin have been more influential.

A lot of attention has been paid to striker Sergio Aguero, who leads the tournament with five goals, but for me Ever Banega has been Argentina's best player and deserves to win the Gold Ball award as the tournament MVP.

Argentina dominated the match when these two teams met in the first round, but they couldn't find a way to score. That won't happen this time, as the South Americans will throw everything they have at the Czechs, even with some key players missing through suspension and injuries, en route to repeating as world champions.

Prediction: 2-0 for Argentina

MITCH PEACOCK, Commentator, CBC Sports
Knockout stage victories over Poland, Mexico and Chile puts Argentina a victory away from defending its FIFA U-20 World Cup title. A determined Czech Republic side is all that stands between the South Americans and a sixth world crown.

Argentina goes into Sunday's final minus the suspended pair of defender/captain Matias Cahais and midfielder Claudio Yacob. The Czechs will be without Petr Janda.

Injuries could be a factor after Marcel Gecov missed the semifinals for the Czechs and Angel Di Maria limped off for Argentina in the win over Chile.

Both sides came out quickly in their semifinal matches and essentially took control of things early on. Sunday should be a little more cautious, but it seems clear the Czechs will have to find a way to limit Argentina's good scoring chances.

This is a Group E rematch, with the two battling to a 0-0 draw in Ottawa on June 30th. Argentina enjoyed nearly 60 per cent possession and held a crazy 29-3 edge in shots in that one. If the Czechs can be patient and minimize Ever Banega and Sergio Aguero they could still have their hands full with the likes of Maxi Moralez.

The Europeans need to absorb the pressure and keep their cool if Argentina goes the "simulation" route. I see the Czechs needing a strong game from goalkeeper Radek Petr, and striker Martin Fenin could prove a difference maker if he is able to score for his side.

I don't think the Czechs will let Argentina off easy, but I do believe Argentina will find a way.

Prediction: a 2-1 win for Argentina.

NIGEL REED, Commentator, CBC Sports
Before we start, you should know that I am an MVP. Sadly, it's nothing to be proud of because, in my case, the letters stand for Most Vague Predictor.

That said the U-20 final is surely a no-contest contest — isn't it?

Argentina have been there and done it, they have all the flair players, and probably the lion's share of the fans to roar them on to an unprecedented sixth title.

But wait a moment — there are two teams battling for the trophy and the Czech Republic certainly isn't coming merely to make up the numbers.

Only one team have stopped Argentina from scoring in this tournament, and only one team have avoided defeat against them — the Czechs held them to a stalemate on the first day of competition in their opening group game.

The Czechs will draw confidence from that result, and their opponents won't have forgotten that the Europeans are, at the very least, a resilient outfit.

I can't see many goals and the longer it goes without one the better it gets for the Czechs. Ultimately though, my gut feeling is that Argentina will prevail with tiny Maxi Morales grabbing the glory for the South Americans.

Prediction: Argentina 1, Czech Republic 0