With the 2015 U-20 World Cup taking place at crazy hours here in the United States, we at 32 Flags are happy to be your guide to all that is the U-20 World Cup. Consider this series a refresher course on all that took place while you were likely asleep. You’re welcome.
The Group Stage is over. The final day of the Group Stage concluded and we now know the final 16 teams in the U-20 World Cup. But before looking ahead, we must look back to the final games of Group E and F.
1) Biggest Winner – Uzbekistan
Before last night, Uzbekistan was one of four teams who didn’t score any points and were sitting in last place in Group F. Even Fiji had a win and were looking at going forward to the Round of 16. Everything came down to Uzbekistan’s game against Fiji. A draw by Fiji would send them forward whereas Uzbekistan would need to win.
While there was no score in the first half, Uzbekistan very quickly got it into high gear and won 3-0. Not only did the score get them past Fiji, because of Germany’s 5-1 win over Honduras, Uzbekistan won out over Honduras for 2nd place due to goal differential. Not a bad jump in the standings.
2) Biggest Loser – Honduras
Oh Honduras. Yeah there was really nothing you could do against Germany so you were likely going to end up with three points. Having said that, you could’ve done a better job at keeping the goal differential close and still sneak in.
You know how we all joke that on the final day of the season, a team can come back and pass the team ahead if they win and make up an insane number of goals? That happened with Honduras and Uzbekistan. While Uzbekistan didn’t need to make up that many goals, they made up seven goals on Honduras due to their 3-0 win over Fiji and Honduras’ 5-1 loss to Germany. Just goes to show you that while it didn’t happen here, any result is potentially unsafe.
3) Standout Performer – Taiwo Awoniyi – Nigeria
Taiwo Awoniyi very quietly got a brace and put Nigeria up 2-0 to seal 2nd in Group E. Awoniyi’s breakaway for his second goal was simply terrific as he showed great intelligence to keep the ball until the very last moment instead of panicking and shooting early.
4) Player Worth Staying Up to Watch in the Future – Andreas Pereira – Brazil
Andreas Pereira has only played a half per game but the Manchester United youngster has been pretty great for Brazil. The midfielder scored a PK against Hungary and there’s no doubt he’s going to get some more playing time.
5) Best Goal – Bryan Rochez via Marvin Schwabe
The one goal Honduras did score was this Bryan Rochez shot in the 19th minute. He slammed the volley off the post and bounced off of Germany GK Marvin Schwabe to go in. It was a great shot that’s going to be credited as an own goal. If anything was clear from that game, it was that Honduras needed to have a bit of luck and unfortunately they didn’t get enough of it.
6) Best Tweet
.@AllWorldCups @32flags @andyonfootball They still mess around with this ref? Leave Matt Conger ALONE. #BRA… https://t.co/iqx7p3dhBA
— Derek (@DTang0426) June 7, 2015
7) Results of the Day (Groups E and F)
Fiji 0 – Portugal 3 (Shomurodov 62′, Urinboev 63′, Kosimov 90′)
Honduras 1 (Schwabe 19′ (og)) – Germany 5 (Stendera 2′(pk), Brandt 30′, Mukhtar 50′, Proemel 62′, Stark 81′)
Brazil 3 (Hyo-Song Min 60′ (og), Carlos 66′, Pereira 86′) – North Korea 0
Hungary 0 – Nigeria 2 (Awoniyi 33′, 54′)
Round of 16 Games
Brazil vs. Uruguay
Portugal vs. New Zealand
Austria vs. Uzbekistan
Ukraine vs. Senegal
United States vs. Colombia
Serbia vs. Hungary
Ghana vs. Mali
Germany vs. Nigeria
