U-20s World Cup Semi Final Previews: Ghana vs Hungary & Brazil vs Costa Rica

Just four teams remain in the 2009 Under-20s World Cup as the competition reaches it’s semi-final stage in Egypt, and amongst the teams left there are certainly one or two surprises. It has been a knockout stage full of surprises so far in fact, making this tournament a joy for bookmakers and a nightmare for anyone who might have adopted a betting strategy involving rooting for the favourites.

First a look at results in the knockout stages so far:

Round of 16

Spain 1-3 Italy
Paraguay 0-3 South Korea
Ghana 2-1 South Africa (a.e.t.)
Egypt 0-2 Costa Rica
Hungary 2-2 Czech Republic (a.e.t.) – Hungary advanced 4-3 on penalties
Brazil 3-1 Uruguay
Venezuela 1-2 United Arab Emirates
Germany 3-2 Nigeria

Quarter Finals

South Korea 2-3 Ghana
Italy 2-3 Hungary (a.e.t.)
Brazil 2-1 Germany (a.e.t.)
Costa Rica 2-1 United Arab Emirates (a.e.t.)

Semi Finals

Ghana vs Hungary
Brazil vs Costa Rica

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In the round of 16 at least 5 of those results could be considered upsets. Spain, Paraguay, Egypt, Czech Republic and Venezuela were all expected to make it to the quarter finals at the very least and, in particular, a highly-rated Spain side and an Egyptian team with strong local backing were fancied to make a real challenge for the trophy itself.

None of that came to fruition. A mixture of diligence, hard work and a strong team ethic saw the likes of UAE, South Korea, Costa Rica and Hungary all through, and the latter two have unexpectedly battled their way all the way to the semis.

Brazil and Ghana on the other hand are two pre-tournament favourites that haven’t flopped, and both came through difficult challenges unscathed to make it to the last four. Brazil overcame the flair of Uruguay with some magical football of their own, albeit in a short 11 minute burst, winning 3-1 before fighting their way through a German side as steadfast and hard to break down as at any level. Two goals from Maicon won them that quarter final 2-1 after extra time.

Ghana have been one of the most enterprising teams in the competition scoring 13 goals so far, and despite being pushed hard by both South Africa and South Korea (though defeated South Korea managed 64% possession in that game) the Black Satellites withstood the pressure to reach the semi finals. So what to expect in the semis?

Ghana vs Hungary (13.10.09 – 15.30 GMT)

As has already been proven in the U-20s World Cup 2009, assigning a ‘favourite’ in any game is risky business, and especially so in this match. Ghana will start as the bookmakers’ tip, but Hungary have made a habit of defying the odds in this competition up to now and don’t intend on giving up that habit so close to a major final.

There is a distinct contrast in style between the ways Ghana and Hungary play – Ghana are all attack, attack, attack while Hungary like to build from the back and are extremely measured in their play. It is not as clear cut as calling it attack vs defence, but its pretty close.

Hungary will have to stifle Ghana’s dangerous attacking trio of Ransford Osei, Andre Ayew and tournament top scorer Dominic Adiyiah if they are to progress. With six goals to his name so far Adiyiah has the golden boot firmly in his sights, and he will benefit from the fact that his closest rival for that award, Hungary’s Vladimir Koman misses the semi final through suspension. Koman’s absence is a big blow to the Magyars hopes – the roving midfielder is captain of the side and has been a vital driving force in their successes so far. Liverpool forward Krisztian Nemeth will be heavily relied upon for goals here.

Brazil vs Costa Rica (13.10.09 – 19.00 GMT)

Worryingly for Los Ticos< span style="font-family:arial;">, Brazil were their opponents in the opening fixture of this competition and they lost that one 5-0. Again the result flattered Brazil to an extent, who were more clinical than exceptional, but a 5-0 is a 5-0 and Costa Rica will have to be much improved if they are to make this one anything other than a formality for Brazil.

Funnily enough, although I have been careful not to go too overboard with praise for Brazil I have really enjoyed watching them. The squad is filled with talent – particularly the vastly promising duo of Alex Teixeira and Douglas Costa, and those two along with Alan Kardec, Giuliano and right back Douglas have very much impressed me so far. In the quarters Germany provided a stern test of their resilience, but they passed it and now have a real chance of going all the way.

Costa Rica have done well to make it this far but I don’t see it as any real indicator of their quality as a team. Marcos Urena, matchwinner against UAE, looks a tidy player as does attacking midfielder Diego Estrada who has weighed in with a number of assists so far, but you could argue Costa Rica’s semi final place is as much down to the weaknesses of their opponents Egypt and UAE as it is to their own abilities.

Egypt were palpably a bag of nerves against an expectant crowd in the last sixteen and simply didn’t perform. And against UAE, Costa Rica’s gameplan was good but it still needed a last gasp goal in extra time to see them through. I’d be amazed if Brazil don’t register the win. Ghana vs Hungary is a lot tougher to call.

So then, a Brazil vs Ghana final, anyone?

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Brazil, Costa Rica, FIFA, Ghana, Hungary, Previews, U-20 World Cup