U20s World Cup Qualified nations

I'd prefer Myanmar, Hungary and Honduras...lets get through to the knock out rounds before the really tough teams come 

Hmmm... I think NZ v Brazil opener would be pretty much perfect myself.

Great to see the South American heavy weights making it. We should see plenty of fans coming over from South America....especially Brazil and Argentina. Further north you could expect plenty of Mexican and American fans as well. This kind of makes up for the lack of the traditional Western European teams qualifying. No England, Holland, France, Italy or Spain means there is a big gap in potential incoming fans. Its hard to see the numbers being made up by Ukrainian, Hungarian, Austrian or Portuguese fans. We might see a few Serbian Australians come over.

Its going to be a fantastic tournament. There are plenty of good quality teams for locals to follow so we should expect to see good crowds. If the kiwis get a good draw and can make it out of the pool stages then public interest will grow. Its really important the NZ sports media get in behind this tournament......it will be full on eggball season so convincing the media to follow the WC could take some work

I see Fiji under 20s are in Myanmar for some friendlies....Myanmar beat Fiji 1-0 yesterday and will play again in a couple of days.  Fiji are also playing Malaysia on this trip. Good that they are trying to get some good preparation under their belt because they will need it.

We beat Fiji U-20 5 - 0 at Bill McKinley. Good sign.

Yea true...I see today that they played again and it was a 0-0 draw.

Got QF and SF for Nth Harbour today courtesy of Brenda. She says stadium is now looking pretty full.

African qualification has begun. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2015_African_U-20_Championship

Nigeria picked up a win over Senegal, while Congo and Ivory Coast drew. In the other group Ghana beat South Africa, and Mali/Zambia is about to kick off. Top two in each group are NZ bound.

Mali won 1-0.

Ghana will be one I'm sure. Won the thing in 2009 and are so mad keen to repeat they've appointed Avram Grant to oversee things. Star player Clifford Aboagye won bronze ball last time then signed for Udinese, now 20 and on loan to Granada in La Liga, has played for their first team.

Nigeria qualified from Grp A.

Ghana and Mali winners over Sth Africa and Zambia in Group B

Ghana and Mali through with a game to play. time to dust off my Ghana shirt from 2010.

Senegal, Congo and Ivory Coast fighting for the final spot.

Nigeria, Ghana and Mali will be good teams to have coming our way...I think Senegal (the hosts) might get the other spot, since they are playing Congo in their last game.

Senegal seal the last spot.

Anyone got any idea who's what with CAF1/2/3/4 ? Or when it will be officially announced which African nation is playing where?

That depends on their final place in the knockout stage

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2015_African_U-20_Championship#Knockout_stage

Ah. I see. 22nd March. Cheers.

Semi-Final Results of CAF u-20 Championship Mid-Week:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2015_African_U-20_Cha...

Ranking will be decided on the weekend with the two finalists competing for CAF 1 and 2 positions and the 3rd/ 4th play-off deciding the CAF3 and 4 positions for NZ 2015:

Nigeria	2–0	Ghana
Nwobodo 23' Muhammed 81'	Report

Mali	1–2	Senegal
Diallo 5'	Report	Koné 2', 81'

Ghana	v	Mali
Report

Nigeria	v	Senegal
Report

•  SQUADS OF THE FOUR AFRICAN QUALIFIERS FOR NZ 2015

  (CAF u-20 Championship Squads 2015):

  (1) NIGERIA:

  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nigeria_national_unde...

  Players from Besiktas (Turkey), Kalmar (Sweden), Racing Genk

  Other players used recently (poss. not available for the CAF Championship) from Manchester City (two), Celta Vigo, Granada, Genk

  I hope the player named "Isaac Success" from Grananda CF in Spain makes the squad for NZ - and the player who plays for "Dabo Babes" club in Nigeria.

  (2) SENEGAL:

  This is the most successful Senegal u-20 team in history already:

  • Senegal U-20's have never even qualified for the finals of any tournament until making the CAF u-20's this year.
  • In 2007 & 2009 they got to the 1st Qualifying round, but got knocked out by Ghana (2007) & Nigeria (2009).
  • In 2011 they got to the 2nd round, but got knocked out by Egypt. 
  • Squad: http://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/senegal-u20/startse...
  • #1 Goalkeeper Seydou Sy plays for Monaco in France (already third choice keeper in the first team); 
  • #2 keeper Ibrahima Sy plays for Lorient B in France; 
  • Other players play in France for Ajaccio and Dijon; in Italy for Brescia ; for Real Zaragossa and Rayo Vallecano in Spain Midfielder Soro Mbaye is All White Chris James' team mate at Sedan in France. 
  • (3) GHANA: 
  • Squad: http://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/ghana-u20/kader/ver...
  • One overseas player, Clifford Aboagye from Granada CF (Spain) but otherwise entirely domestically-based. 
  • 
    
  • (4) MALI: 

  • Achievements:

  • • African U-20 Championship
      • Runner-up : 1989
      • 3rd Place : 2003
    • FIFA U-20 World Cup
      • 3rd Place : 1999

    Squad: http://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/mali-u20/startseite..

  • Overseas players are: Their star player Adama Traore, Lille (France) - 13 first team apps for Ligue 1 side Lille this season; Youssuf Kone, Lille (France); Foussyeni Diabate, Stade Reims (France); Allasane Diallo, Westerlo (Belgium); Hamidou Traore, Elazigspor (Turkey); Mohamed Guilavogui, Montpellier (France)      

•                     

Nigeria leading 1-0 in the final.

Woo hoo. Get to see Ghana v Panama at Nth Harbour before Ukraine v USA. Talk about the global game!

Nigeria 1st.

Senegal 2nd

Nigeria (New Plymouth)

Senegal (Dunedin)

Ghana (Wellington)

Mali (Hamilton)

STOKED that Ghana are playing in Wellington, never thought I'd get to wear my Ghana kit at an actual game!

I'm not sure that the ranking places mean that they are CAF 2,3,4 (Nigeria are CAF1 because they are the champions).  FIFA in their confusing way have said that they are having a draw to say who is CAF 2,3,4 so we should check that before we pencil in the African teams.

ffs!

Nigeria in with Brazil, Hungary and North Korea (New Plymouth)...Mali in with Mexico, Serbia and Uruguay (Dunedin)....Ghana in with Argentina, Panama and Austria (Wellington)....Senegal in with Qatar, Colombia and Portugal (Hamilton).  So that's now offical.

Then redrawn as

CAF 2 = Mali

CAF 3 = Ghana

CAF 4 = Senegal

see latest on www.fifa.com

Link?

http://www.fifa.com/u20worldcup/news/y=2015/m=3/ne...

Ghana in WLG... much excite

"582 U20 World Cup players have gone on to participate in FIFA’s senior World Cup - 30 of them in World Cup-winning teams." - FIFA.com

Teams coming to NZ have been involved in lots of pre-tournament friendlies around the world the last month.

There will also be several pre-tournament games around NZ involving qualified teams, on top of the friendly tournament announced this week involving the NZ team.

Uzbekistan vs. Panama May 24 - probably in Christchurch

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uzbekistan_national_u...

Check for news on Argentina's pre-tournament friendlies here:

http://www.afa.org.ar/index.php?option=com_content...

The team has already been active in March and early April, training twice a week and playing friendlies against local clubs:

April 7: Played a friendly against Independiente youth team, whom they defeated 6-0

The goals of the team were scored by Gio Simeone (2), Rodrigo Contreras (2), Tomi Cristian Martinez and Pavón. The team, meanwhile, formed with Devecchi; Moreira, Monteseirín, Vega; Rolon, Ferreyra, Ibanez, Tripicchio; Tomás Martínez; Simeone Contreras. In the second half also joined Pavón minutes, Cardozo and Rossi. Cristian Espinoza returned to training differentially as it continues recovering from a broken foot.

The final squad will assemble in Argentina next Monday after coach Grondona returns from Europe where he has been assessing the Europe-based players, with a formal announcement the first week of May.

The Argentina squad of locally-based players that has been training the last month:

http://www.afa.org.ar/index.php?option=com_content...

Others like Germany don't seem to be playing friendlies between now and the World Cup after their 2-1 loss to Italy u-20 on Tuesday:

http://www.dfb.de/en/news/detail/u20s-lose-friendl...

"Frank Wormuth’s side will have to accept the 2-1 defeat in their final test match before the World Cup in New Zealand (30th May-20th June)."

However, that means they will probably still play matches before the World Cup - maybe against local NZ sides. 

The Germans have been in poor form recently. Lost to Italy and Poland u-20 in their last two friendlies:

http://us.soccerway.com/teams/germany/germany-yout...

They have a record of two wins, two draws and three losses in friendlies since winning the UEFA qualifying tournament last July.

Report on Germany v Italy played on Tuesday:

 http://www.dfb.de/en/news/detail/u20s-lose-friendl...

It's interesting that there are no Bayern Munich players on the German roster. In fact there are very few from top Bundesliga clubs:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Germany_national_yout...

 http://www.transfermarkt.com/deutschland-u20/start...

Also not a single player from Bayern in the German u-21 squad for the UEFA Finals in June (played the same time as our u-20 World Cup):

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Germany_national_unde...

Brazil:

A 3-0 win vs. Qatar and a 1-0 loss to Honduras in friendlies in Austria last week:

http://int.soccerway.com/teams/brazil/brazil-youth...

Report on Brazil squad for Austrian tournie:

http://zeenews.india.com/sports/football/belgium-b...

 "Brazil have called up Belgium-born Manchester United midfielder Andreas Pereira for an Under-20 World Cup warm-up tournament in Austria.

Pereira, whose parents are both Brazilian, was among 20 players named by Brazil's football federation on Saturday for Under-20 friendlies against Qatar and Honduras.

 Brazil Under-20 coach Alexandre Gallo also included Real Madrid forward Jean Carlos, Marseille midfielder Alef and Cagliari striker Caio Rangel in his squad for the friendlies."

Report on Brazil v Honduras:

http://selecao.cbf.com.br/noticias/todas/brasil-su...

Brazil v Qatar report:

http://selecao.cbf.com.br/noticias/todas/brasil-su...

BRAZIL: Jean, Jefferson, Iago, Bruno and Jorginho; Flavio, Gabriel Jesus and Boschilia; Jean Carlos, Ewandro (Caio Rangel) and Judivan. (Other subs played: Rodrigo, Matthew Muller, Alef and Andreas Pereira)

Mexico:

Results since winning the CONCACAF qualifying in January:

http://www.futbol24.com/team/CONCACAF/Mexico-U20/

1-1 draw (4-2 loss on pens) in friendly vs. England u-20 on March 25

Match report:

http://www.thefa.com/news/england/development/2015...

3-1 loss to Austria u-20 on March 31

1-1 draw with Hungary u-20 on March 29

Honduras:

http://www.futbol24.com/team/CONCACAF/Honduras-U20...

2-1 loss to Serbia u-20 on Tuesday

1-0 win vs. Brazil last week

3-2 win vs. Qatar on 11/4/15

A mixed u-20 and u-23 squad entered the King's Cup in Thailand in February and beat Uzbekistan u-23, lost to the Thai national team and Korea u-23

Portugal:

http://www.futbol24.com/team/UEFA/Portugal-U20/

3-0 win vs. Uruguay u-20 on April 1st

2-0 win vs. Uzbekistan u-20 on March 28

1-1 draw with England u-20 on Nov.18

Serbia:

http://www.futbol24.com/team/UEFA/Serbia-U20/

2-1 win vs. Honduras on Tuesday

3-0 win vs. Mynamar on March 30

6-0 win vs. Mynamar on March 27

0-1 loss vs. Romania u-21 on Nov. 14

Uruguay:

Poor results in their two recent friendlies:

http://www.futbol24.com/team/CONMEBOL/Uruguay-U20/

0-3 loss to Portugal u-20 on April 1

0-1 loss to Uzbekistan u-20 on March 30

Nigeria's provisional squad of 35 are travelling to Germany for a pre-tournament camp this weekend. They've added several European-based stars who weren't available for the African qualifying tournament from Manchester City, Spurs, Porto, Granada etc.:

http://m.news24.com/nigeria/Sport/Football/Awoniyi...

http://m.news24.com/nigeria/Sport/Football/FIFA-U-...

"The African champions are expected to arrive at their base in New Plymouth, New Zealand on May 25, ahead of their first match of the tournament against Brazil on June 1."

I hope that Zaharaddeen Bello (Dabo Babes Academy) makes the cut - that's a unique club name.

Also Isaac Success (Granada FC, Spain) - best player's name in the tournament. 

Argentina have finalized their squad for the World Cup - and it's pretty awesome, containing all the players the coach wanted (waitng on one major player who is coming back from injury). 

Contains players from major Argentinian clubs, some already in action recently with Copa Libertadores sides, plus some emerging stars of European football:

http://www.afa.org.ar/index.php?option=com_content...

Buenos Aires, April 30, 2015: This story was published yesterday and then soon after pulled from the Argentinian FA website (probably because it prematurely announces the squad and wasn't authorized).

But here on Yellow Fever you can exclusively read details of the squad coming to NZ (weeks before it's officially announced):

Highlights:

Maximiliano Rolón (Barcelona)   http://translate.google.co.nz/translate?hl=en&sl=e...

Angel Correa (Atletico Madrid)   http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C3%81ngel_Correa Helped San Lorenzo win the 2014 Copa Libertadores

Cristian Pavon (Boca)                http://translate.google.co.nz/translate?hl=en&sl=e...

Giovanni Simeone (River)         http://translate.google.co.nz/translate?hl=en&sl=e...       Diego Simeone's goal-scoring son

Emiliano Buendia (Getafe, Spain)  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emiliano_Buend%C3%ADa

Tiago Casasola (Fulham)             http://fulham.wikia.com/wiki/Tiago_Casasola signed for 880,000 pounds last year aged 19.

FULL SQUAD: "The list consists of 22 players, waiting for the improving Leandro Vega from injury. And it could be altered before15 May deadline to be sent to FIFA."

GOALKEEPERS:
Augusto Battle (River) Devecchi José (San Lorenzo) Agustín Rossi (Estudientes)

DEFENDERS
Emanuel Mammana (River)
Leandro Vega (River)
Tiago Casasola (Fulham)
Facundo Monteseirín (Lanús)
Rodrigo Moreira (Independiente)
Nicholas Tripichio (Velez)
Lucas Suarez (Quilmes)

MIDFIELD:
Andrew Cubas (Boca)
Joaquín Ibáñez (Lanús)
Rolon Leandro (Velez)
Tomas Martinez (River)
Gamarra Alejandro Romero (Hurricane)

STRIKERS:
Sebastián Driussi (River)
Maximiliano Rolón (Barcelona)
Angel Correa (Atletico Madrid)
Cristian Espinoza (Hurricane)
Cristian Pavon (Boca)
Giovanni Simeone (River)
Emiliano Buendia (Getafe)

All stories on Argentina u-20 (Argentina FA website):

http://www.afa.org.ar/index.php?option=com_content...

Argentina continue their preparation with friendlies against club teams in Argentina:

http://www.afa.org.ar/index.php?option=com_content...

"The squad, after the final list has been sent to FIFA, will meet on Sunday 17, on Monday 18 travel to Tahiti, where the U-20's will have a week of preparation, with two friendlies against the host team (21 and May 24), before arriving in New Zealand and, then yes, give full play to the World Cup dream."

^ Holy shark!

Qatar v Ghana warm-up match today at Nth Harbour @ 1pm

4 - 2 Ghana (came from 1-2 down at halftime). Their little no.17 looks class. Ran midfield and scored great direct free. But their defence is a bit error prone. Qatar aren't too shabby either.

Edit: sorry, should be in pre-tournament thread.