Group B is arguably the group of death at the 2015 FIFA U-20 World Cup in New Zealand. Watch all of its matches featuring Argentina, Ghana, Panama and Austria.
The future of Argentina is now. With 19-year-old forward Giovanni Simeone, coach Humberto Grondona could bring back the glories of the late 90’s and early 2000’s. The team counts as many as six FIFA U-20 World Cup trophies with the last ones coming back to back in 2005 and 2007. Since then, the Argentines have participated in only one of the last three editions.
The year 2015 could be theirs as they possess the tag of reigning South American Youth Football Championship winners.
Giovanni Simeone is a potential 2015 FIFA U-20 World Cup awards winner.
Ghana’s history at the FIFA U-20 World Cup is quite rich with two silver medals (Australia 1993, Argentina 2001), one bronze (Turkey 2013) and of course gold in Egypt 2009 at Brazil’s expense. The Black Satellites, managed by coach Sellas Tetteh, will be motivated to continue the year 2015 on a high.
The senior team’s remarkable 2015 Africa Cup of Nations campaign somehow cured the “World Cup 2014 scandal†wounds of disturbed fans back home. Now the Black Satellites will not lack support at the FIFA U-20 tournament. If they can surmount the challenges in Group B, they’ll be hopeful of going all the way to the semis to possibly pick up more medals.
Ghana lost 3-0 to hosts Argentina in the final of the 2001 edition; have they learnt their lesson?
The Ghanaians will begin their New Zealand adventure against Austria. The latter are the outsiders in Group B, seeking to trick giants. Meanwhile, Panama poses another threat to its opponents. La Marea Roja humbled USA in the 2015 CONCACAF U-20 Championship to win their group and book a date with Mexico in the final. Panama lost, but only to a narrow 4-2 penalty shoot-out session after a 1-1 game in extra-time.
Neutrals would be sorry if the third-placed team in this group doesn’t make it among the four sides to join the winners and runners up of each section into the Round of 16.