FIFA U-20 World Cup Groups Are Set...
This afternoon FIFA conducted the draw for the final groups at the U-20 World Cup 2007, being hosted by Canada. Canada, Spain, Portugal, Brazil, Argentina and Nigeria were the top seeded teams and will each be in their own group. Play starts June 30th in Montreal and Ottawa. The tournament wraps up July 22nd in Toronto.
6 groups contain the 24 teams competing in the summer 2007 event. Group D will host the Americans in addition to Brazil, South Korea and Poland. Replace Brazil with Portugal and you've got the American's 2002 World Cup group. The Americans will no doubt with they didn't have to play the always dangerous Brazilians in the first round, however in the past they have shown they can play with anyone. Poland and South Korea will surely be the underdogs while Brazil and the young Americans are my favorites to advance beyond the group stages. Simply by having a group with Brazil and the Americans you could call D the Group of Death. However, I think the groups are for the most part evenly weighted.
As an American fan I'd rather see the young Nats play in Group F with Japan, Scotland, Nigeria and Costa Rica. Group E should be exciting with Argentina, Czech Republic, North Korea and Panama. Group C could be the most contested group with Portugal, New Zealand, Gambia and Mexico. I know Portugal and Mexico are strong but the Kiwis and Gambia are big unknowns. Group B should see Spain and Uruguay advance past Jordan and Zambia, but African countries showed they shouldn't be overlooked at World Cup 2006. The hosts will play against Chile, Congo and Austria in Group A, the easy as pie group in my opinion.
American fans should start looking at flights to Montreal. Watching Brazil and the US fight it out will be a great match! I might have to see how I can swing that one...unfortunately it is doubtful.
This tournament should showcase some of the future great players. Stars like Lionel Messi, Javier Saviola and Landon Donovan have made their presence known in the past.
Adding to the excitement of the event is the fact that tickets are selling fast, even before people knew where teams were playing. Canada announced recently that over 500,000 tickets had already been sold for the event, ensuring some great crowds following the action.
6 groups contain the 24 teams competing in the summer 2007 event. Group D will host the Americans in addition to Brazil, South Korea and Poland. Replace Brazil with Portugal and you've got the American's 2002 World Cup group. The Americans will no doubt with they didn't have to play the always dangerous Brazilians in the first round, however in the past they have shown they can play with anyone. Poland and South Korea will surely be the underdogs while Brazil and the young Americans are my favorites to advance beyond the group stages. Simply by having a group with Brazil and the Americans you could call D the Group of Death. However, I think the groups are for the most part evenly weighted.
As an American fan I'd rather see the young Nats play in Group F with Japan, Scotland, Nigeria and Costa Rica. Group E should be exciting with Argentina, Czech Republic, North Korea and Panama. Group C could be the most contested group with Portugal, New Zealand, Gambia and Mexico. I know Portugal and Mexico are strong but the Kiwis and Gambia are big unknowns. Group B should see Spain and Uruguay advance past Jordan and Zambia, but African countries showed they shouldn't be overlooked at World Cup 2006. The hosts will play against Chile, Congo and Austria in Group A, the easy as pie group in my opinion.
American fans should start looking at flights to Montreal. Watching Brazil and the US fight it out will be a great match! I might have to see how I can swing that one...unfortunately it is doubtful.
This tournament should showcase some of the future great players. Stars like Lionel Messi, Javier Saviola and Landon Donovan have made their presence known in the past.
Adding to the excitement of the event is the fact that tickets are selling fast, even before people knew where teams were playing. Canada announced recently that over 500,000 tickets had already been sold for the event, ensuring some great crowds following the action.
Labels: America, American Soccer, FIFA U-20 World Cup 2007
posted by Bonji at
2:42 PM
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