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The 2011 FIFA U-20 World Cup quarter-finals: 4 questions to ask

Angela Asante, August 13 2011,
Colombia, Portugal, Mexico, Argentina, Nigeria, Spain, France and Brazil will line up this weekend in the quarter-finals of the 2011 FIFA U-20 World Cup. Which team will win tickets to the semi-finals?

FIFA U-20 World Cup: the quarter-final stage is on, from August 13 to August 14, 2011.

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FIFA U-20 World Cup
Related Articles: Colombia, Portugal, Mexico, Argentina, Nigeria, Spain, France, Brazil
FIFA U-20 World Cup tournaments have strongly contributed in the growth of world football’s top stars. Former U-20 stars Diego Maradona (winner of the Golden Ball in Japan 1979), Javier Saviola, Lionel Messi or Sergio Aguero can confirm this fact.

The U-20 World Cup competition, which was founded in 1977, has seen countries like Argentina, Brazil, Spain and Germany among others top the best performances list. This only makes it hard for one to question the success of those countries’ senior national teams or senior footballers.

This year, it will be no different. The quarter-final stage at the 2011 FIFA U-20 World Cup will be contested by Portugal, Argentina, Mexico, hosts Colombia, France, Nigeria, Brazil and Spain. With all players involved sharing the unique dream of reaching higher standards individual and collectively in their career, August 13 and August 14’s fixtures promise to be very competitive.

 

Will Spain’s get lucky again?

The Iberians needed extra-time football against South Korea in the last 16. Still, they failed to found the net like the Koreans. In the penalty shoot-outs, Koke’s wasted spot kick went unpunished as Lee Ki-Je and Kim Kyung-Jung also missed their shots. The game ended 7-6 in favor of the Spaniards as they avoided an upset.

Will the public be exposed to yet another tight affair when Spain will face Brazil on Sunday, August 14? What about the prospects of a goal fest? Note that Spain have scored 11 goals already thus far whereas Brazil’s 3-0 victory against Saudi Arabia in the last 16 took the South Americans’ goal tally to 11.

Brazil vs Spain - Sunday, August 14, 2011 at 7:00pm EST

Can Argentina break Portugal’s iron defense?

Portugal have scored only thrice in 4 matches and 2 of these 3 goals have come from N. Oliveira. The Portuguese kicked off their FIFA U-20 World Cup campaign with a goalless draw against Uruguay before edging past Cameroon on a 1-0 score line.

They repeated this feat on match-day 3 with Rui’s 31st minute strike sinking New Zealand. Recently, Portugal overcame their challenges in the tricky fixture against Guatemala to reach the quarter-finals.
But Portuguese fans are yet to know if their team’s low goal record will turn out to be a curse against Argentina. In the meantime, the Argentines could become the first to break Portugal’s untouched goal line.

Portugal vs Argentina - Saturday, August 13, 2011 at 6:00pm EST

Nigeria’s big dreamNigeria want to reach the stars at the 2011 FIFA U-20 World Cup.

Nigeria have used this U-20 World Cup to rival reigning champions and absentees Ghana. The Nigerians’ aim is to prove that they can match what their West African foes did in Egypt 2 years ago. So far, so good for Nigeria.

They’ve been deadly in front of goal and their 1-0 win over England in the Round of 16 could inspire them to another victory against France on Saturday night. The French, meanwhile, have already defeated an African team in the form of Mali. Does it mean they will find the keys to unlock Nigeria’s fortress?

France vs Nigeria - Sunday, August 14, 2011 at 4:00pm EST

Can Colombia maintain the hopes of the home crowd?

The hosts have a tough task against Mexico, but there’s no reason why they won’t fancy their chances of winning. Colombia qualified as leaders of Group A above France and South Korea. They kept a perfect record as they demolished France 4-1 on the opening day of the 2011 FIFA U-20 World Cup.
In the Round of 16, Colombia edged a 5-goal thriller against Costa Rica. Will Costa Rica’s Central American neighbors Mexico succumb to the power of the hosts?

Mexico vs Colombia - Sunday, August 13, 2011 at 9:00pm EST





 

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