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At this stage of the competition, losing hurts probably the most! The stage for the final showdown is so near and no team wants to miss out on the dream of being crowned 2011 FIFA U-20 champions. Brazil, Mexico, France and Portugal all have a genuine chance of making their nations proud.
The reality, however, remains this way: only 2 teams will make it to the final and only 1 of the 4 teams will win the title. Tonight, the 2011 FIFA U-20 semi-finals will get underway. The quarter-finals stage is now gone and it produced some great results.
Brazil ousted pre-tournament favorites Spain. Amat and current top scorer Vazquez became the victims of Gabriel’s splendid goalkeeping as the Brazilians won 4-2 on penalties after playing a 2-2 draw. Elsewhere, Portugal had triumphed in spot-kicks against Argentina in dramatic fashion.
Meanwhile, France sent Africa’s last representatives in the form of Nigeria home thanks to a 3-2 extra-time win. As for Mexico, they broke the hearts of home supporters by ending Colombia’s campaign through a 3-1 score line.
What are the players involved saying in preparation for their respective encounter? FIFA.com caught up with a few important names ahead of Brazil vs Mexico and France vs Portugal. Check out key statements below:
Brazil’s goalkeeper Gabriel:
“I think it will be a really tough game [against Mexico]. They are not in the semi-finals for nothing. They've been playing really well. They're fresh from eliminating Colombia in Colombia, which will have really raised their confidence.
“We've got to stay focused. We can't become complacent just because we've beaten Spain—who were considered one of the favorites. But if we keep our concentration and play the football we know we can, we're confident we can win it.”
Gabriel, who has been compared to Brazilian legend Taffarel, will need to inspire his country to cup glory in Colombia if he wants to grow his name in world football.
Mexico’s striker Diego Rivera:
“They [Brazil] play really good football, they like to keep the ball and they’ve got some very skilful players. They like to attack and throw you off balance.
“We’re a team, a family, and we showed what we can do against Colombia. I don’t see any reason why we can’t do it again. We want to be world champions. That’s what we came here for.”
France’s captain Fofana:
“I know we can get even better and I know we can end this World Cup on a high. […] [The Portugal encounter] is bound to be a tough game. They beat Argentina, they haven’t conceded any goals and their defence is extremely solid.
“We want to show that we have one of the strongest generations of players in the world and that the senior team can rely on us in the future. It would be a very significant title for our country.”
France’s senior national team is still transitioning since the devastating 2010 FIFA World Cup. Could any of France’s U-20 players become play makers for their country very soon at the major level?
Portugal’s captain Reis:
“We are playing very well but we always have the same problem, and that’s our inability to score. Sooner or later, we’re going to pay for that and we have to prevent it from happening in matches that we’re capable of winning.
“We haven’t reached perfection yet, but we’ve achieved our initial target. Obviously when you get to the semi-finals you start focusing on nothing else but the title. It’s going to be tough but we can do it. We can be proud of ourselves, just as I am to be captain of this team.”
Reis could offer Portuguese fans a rare cup success feeling…
Which team will make it to the final of the 2011 FIFA U-20 World Cup? Brazil vs Mexico and France vs Portugal will reveal the answer...
