This group consists of four talented teams out of which two are definitely clear favorites to progress to the next stage.
The youth of Spain, Germany and recently Italy have been much appreciated. Even the small number of brilliant youths England produces is highly appreciated. More often than not, Portugal’s youth goes unnoticed. The caliber of Portugal is often underestimated.
This country has been producing good players, if not world beaters, down the years. The like of Nuno Gomez, Rui Costa, Ricardo Carvalho, and Paulo Ferreira have retired or are on the way to retiring. They were all special. The current generation is also quite special. Joao Moutinho’s name always springs to mind as does Miguel Veloso’s.
Let us not forget that Portugal produced one of the best footballers of the modern game in Cristiano Ronaldo. More talented youngsters are on the way it seems. Plenty of players from the current squad play in Benfica, Sporting Lisbon or Porto, three Portuguese clubs of the highest caliber. The current U-20 side has some players who will definitely be future stars.
The same case can be made for Nigeria. Nigeria has produced decent youth stars down the years. However, many of those stars have fallen by the wayside and not gone on to do as well as they may be should have. Nonetheless, Nigeria should be able to qualify from this group without too much trouble as should Portugal. Cuba is bringing an entire set of home based players in this tournament. South Korea, the other participant of this group, has only one player who plays outside his home nation.
Portugal and Nigeria have all the tools needed to top the group. Nigeria is physically strong and fit to see off their rivals. Portugal has the finesse needed to win the big matches. Both teams could go on to the semifinals later. These teams have all the ingredients needed to be successful in this tournament.
Cuba and South Korea have to be tactically brilliant to top this group. Do you think they might progress? Or do you think Portugal and Nigeria will run away with it? Let us know your thoughts!
Fixtures:
21st June:
Cuba vs. South Korea (11:00 am EST)
Nigeria vs. Portugal (2:00 pm EST)
24th June:
Cuba vs. Nigeria (11:00 am EST)
Portugal vs. Korea Republic (2:00 pm EST)
27th June:
Korea Republic vs. Nigeria (11:00 am EST)
Portugal vs. Cuba (10:00 am EST)
This country has been producing good players, if not world beaters, down the years. The like of Nuno Gomez, Rui Costa, Ricardo Carvalho, and Paulo Ferreira have retired or are on the way to retiring. They were all special. The current generation is also quite special. Joao Moutinho’s name always springs to mind as does Miguel Veloso’s.
Let us not forget that Portugal produced one of the best footballers of the modern game in Cristiano Ronaldo. More talented youngsters are on the way it seems. Plenty of players from the current squad play in Benfica, Sporting Lisbon or Porto, three Portuguese clubs of the highest caliber. The current U-20 side has some players who will definitely be future stars.
The same case can be made for Nigeria. Nigeria has produced decent youth stars down the years. However, many of those stars have fallen by the wayside and not gone on to do as well as they may be should have. Nonetheless, Nigeria should be able to qualify from this group without too much trouble as should Portugal. Cuba is bringing an entire set of home based players in this tournament. South Korea, the other participant of this group, has only one player who plays outside his home nation.
Portugal and Nigeria have all the tools needed to top the group. Nigeria is physically strong and fit to see off their rivals. Portugal has the finesse needed to win the big matches. Both teams could go on to the semifinals later. These teams have all the ingredients needed to be successful in this tournament.
Cuba and South Korea have to be tactically brilliant to top this group. Do you think they might progress? Or do you think Portugal and Nigeria will run away with it? Let us know your thoughts!
Fixtures:
21st June:
Cuba vs. South Korea (11:00 am EST)
Nigeria vs. Portugal (2:00 pm EST)
24th June:
Cuba vs. Nigeria (11:00 am EST)
Portugal vs. Korea Republic (2:00 pm EST)
27th June:
Korea Republic vs. Nigeria (11:00 am EST)
Portugal vs. Cuba (10:00 am EST)
