After thirty five minutes of this match the USA could not have imagined how they could possibly not make into the last four of the FIFA under-20 World Cup. But two decisions by Austrian coach Paul Gludovatz turned the game in his team’s favour. The first move to bring on Harnik on the right side of midfield helped stem the attacks that the USA was mounting down that side. The second was to bring on striker Erwin Hoffer in extra time and he scored the winner with his first touch of the ball. 

For almost all of the first thirty five minutes the USA was very much in control of this game. The opening goal was well crafted and started with Bradley taking a quick free kick and pushing the ball out to the left. Rogers picked the ball up before springing Freddy Adu deep in the Austrian half. Adu then got behind the Austrian defense and send over a teasing out-swinging cross. Altidore held off two defenders and placed an inch perfect header down to the keeper’s right that bounced just inside the post.

The Austrian equalizer came from multiple errors. First of all Proedl was not closed down and allowed to shoot (even though he was far out the wet surface places a premium on blocking shots from any range). Then Seitz spilled the original shot to Okotie who was quick to follow up. Okotie was then able to outmaneuver one US defender before Valentin chose to stand off him and allowed the Austrian striker to get his shot off. Seitz was unable to keep the shot out as Okotie’s strike overpowered him low to the right. It was the second time in the half that Seitz spilled a shot and doubts about his fitness were confirmed as he became less and less mobile as the game progressed. 

In fact every time the Austrians lofted a ball into the USA penalty area there was confusion. Ironically it was probably the strength of Austria in the air that caused American coach Thomas Rongen to gamble on Seitz in preference to the smaller Brian Perk who had deputized in the win over Uruguay. However, with the mobility of Seitz compromised, the US lost one of his key strengths – his control of the penalty area.

Chances for the USA were limited in the second half and i####oal was to come it was more likely to come from Austria. Half way through the second half Sturgis had to clear off his line as the USA’s confidence visibly wilted. Ten minutes later and a double save from Seitz and the goal post saved the day again.

In extra time Freddy Adu missed a golden opportunity to put the USA into the lead after being played in beautifully by Dax McCarty. However, his touch around the Austrian keeper (who never looked confident but was rarely tested) produced a poor angle and the final shot went wide.

Then just three minutes later Anthony Wallace was given a second yellow card for an ill-considered challenge on Harnik. The resultant free kick was played in and never dealt with by the USA defense as it bobbled around and at one stage it clearly struck Michael Bradley on the arm. The left off was only temporary as the ball eventually broke to Hoffer as it rebounded off the goal post and he slid home the winner from six inches.

As the ten men US pushed forward Austria had numerous chances to sew the game up but failed to make the most of their opportunities. With six minutes left a free kick found Ferrari alone at the back post with the Austrian goal open and at his mercy. He failed to hit the target. The final USA chance fell to Freddy Adu who was left with the keeper to beat but Zaglmair stood his ground and deflected the shot wide.

Austria becomes the fifth team in nine knock out games to come from behind to win and they continue their quest to become the Greece of 2007. It’s amazing how far some grit, determination, good organization and a little bit of good fortune can take a team.

Brazil vs. USA

I sat down and watched the complate game this morning rather than just the second half as originally planned.

You would have to be incredibly mean spirited not to acknowledge a string of positives in the US’s win over Brazil. There were precious few weak spots and in cases where isolated mistakes were made they were more than made up for in renewed diligence and concentration. 

Seitz made some critical saves and at the group stage looks to be one of the best keepers on show. Centre-back Ofori Sarkdorie started the first two games on the bench and didn’t get his chance until Julian Valentin had to leave thirty minutes into the game against Poland. Sarkdorie has been very impressive as he goes about his job in an unspectacular but effective way.

The two wide players – Sal Zizzo and Robbie Rogers – were excellent particularly in the first half when they managed to get the ball and make deep runs into the Brazilian half of the field. The US had already settled into the game when Jozy Altidore scored his first goal after Freddy Adu made a fine tackle 35 yards from the Brazil goal.

The Brazilian defense was caught napping as the ball was turned over and the Red Bulls striker drilled the ball home from 20 yards. Adu was again the architect of the second goal giving sports shows around the globe a highlight moment with his juggle and turn to take two Brazilian defenders out of the play.

Altidore was Jozy-on-the-spot when Adu’s shot deflected to him seven yards out and left unmarked. It took Altidore’s tally to three for the tournament and he joins team mates Szetela and Adu and Argentina’s Sergio Aguero at the top of the goal scorer’s chart.

With his build and strength I’m betting that Altidore has some European scout’s drooling at his potential.

So the USA qualifies as group winner with two wins and a draw – next opponent still unknown but it will be a third place side. I will be in Toronto to see the game next week.

Poland finishes second with four points and a rather bizarre – although it means nothing – of minus 4. Poland’s prize is a game against Argentina which I will also be attending.

Brazil settles for third place in the group and although they are not certain to qualify it looks extremely likely that will survive to fight another day. Chile is a possible opponent in the last sixteen. If Luiz Adriano had scored with a header from what was virtually point blank range with only seconds left he would have guaranteed that Brazil moved on…….it would, however, have meant a Argentina vs. Brazil showdown on Thursday.

Discipline

From FIFA.com – “The FIFA Disciplinary Committee has suspended the Brazilian player David Marinho (#4) for 4 matches and fined him CHF 5,000 as a result of an incident during the FIFA U-20 World Cup match between Brazil and Korea Republic on 3 July 2007 in Montreal.

Video evidence of the match shows that in the 65th minute, David Marinho elbowed the Korea Republic player Shin Young Rok (#18), who was admitted to the hospital as a result of the incident.

According to art. 84 a) FIFA Disciplinary Code (FDC), the FIFA Disciplinary Committee is responsible for sanctioning serious infringements which have escaped the match officials’ attention.

Any suspensions the player cannot serve during the FIFA U-20 World Cup Canada 2007 will be carried over to the team’s subsequent official matches in accordance with art. 38 par. 2 let. b FDC.”

What Canada  needs to do to defintetly move on.

Must win and…
Hope Scotland and Costa Rica draw or…..
Zambia and Jordan don’t win.

Otherwise it comes down to beaten other three point tems on goal difference,
 

Link to an earlier blog describing how the last sixteen is decided.

You can send any information (fsr@mts.net) that you think might be of interest about the twenty-four countries and I will post a regular selection. If you have a FIFA Under-20 blog go ahead and post your link under comments.

 You can also check out the National Post blog.