Argentina Team Page
Squad
Coach: Hugo Tocalli
Roster:
Goalkeepers: Bruno Centeno, Javier Garcia, Sergio Romero
Defenders: Matias Cahais, Federico Fazio, Emiliano Insua, Gabriel Mercado, Leonardo Sigali, German Voboril
Midfielders: Ever Banega, Alejandro Cabral, Damian Escudero, Alejandro Gomez, Maximiliano Morlalez, Matias Sanchez, Claudio Yacob
Forwards: Lautaro Acosta, Sergio Aguero, Angel Di Maria, Pablo Piatti, Mauro Zarate
Scouting Report
Strengths: Argentina has dominated this tournament, winning four of the last six tournaments and five overall, more than any other nation. Most of the players are regulars for their pro teams in Argentina and Spain, meaning they have much more experience than other teams in this tournament. Argentina has a lethal attack ing option in Atletico Madrid forward Sergio Aguero, and a hard-working midfield is held together by Boca Juniors starter Ever Banega. Sergio Romero will be one of the best goalkeepers in the tournament.
Weaknesses: After leading his country to the championship two years ago, Lionel Messi won't make the trip to Canada as he has graduated to the senior team. The absence of Messi, still only 19, is a big blow for the Argentines, as the FC Barcelona star is one of the best players in the game today and many critics believe Argentina can't function without him. Argentina also failed to impress in the South American qualifiers, winning just two of five games in the final round.
Player to watch: Ever Banega is expected to be one of the major breakout stars of this summer's tournament. He is considered a skilful, elegant and intelligent midfielder and comparisons are already being drawn with former Boca Juniors idol Fernando Gago. Banega has several outstanding qualities, including his impeccable passing skills, strength in possession and his intelligence on the field.
Prognosis: As the defending champions and winners of four of the last six tournaments, Argentina has to be considered one of the favourites in Canada. With an excellent goalkeeper between the posts and quality options in defence, midfield and in attack, the South American powerhouse will be hard to contain. Coach Hugo Tocalli has put together a team that is less about Latin flair and more about hard work – that will serve Argentina well in a tournament where every team is gunning to knock them off their perch. The Czech Republic will pose a stiff test in the opening round, but Argentina should win their group. Expect to see Argentina in the semifinals, at the very least. Only Brazil can stop Argentina from winning a sixth world title.
ROAD TO THE U-20 WORLD CUP
2007 qualification route: Argentina secured passage to Canada by placing second at the 2007 South American Youth Championship.
Qualifying record: 9 games played, 3 wins, 1 loss, 5 draws
Goals for: 15 Goals against: 8
Top goal-scorer in qualifying: Pablo Mouche and Victor Ismael Sosa (3)
Qualifying results:
Round robin (Group B) – in Ciudad del Este, Paraguay
Jan. 8, 2007 – Argentina 1, Ecuador 1
Jan. 10, 2007 – Argentina 1, Columbia 2
Jan. 14, 2007 – Argentina 6, Venezuela 0
Jan. 16, 2007 – Argentina 3, Uruguay 3
Final group
Jan. 19, 2007 – Brazil 2, Argentina 2
Jan. 21, 2007 – Paraguay 0, Argentina 1
Jan. 23, 2007 – Argentina 0, Chile 0
Jan. 25, 2007 – Argentina 0, Columbia 0
Jan. 28, 2007 – Argentina 1, Uruguay 0
U-20 World Cup 1st round matches (all times local)
June 30 vs. Czech Republic in Ottawa (Frank Clair Stadium) at 19:15
July 3 vs. Panama in Ottawa (Frank Clair Stadium) at 19:45
July 6 vs. North Korea in Ottawa (Frank Clair Stadium) at 17:00
U-20 WORLD CUP HISTORY
Argentina is the most successful country ever at the FIFA U-20 World Cup, with five world titles (four of the last six) and one second-place finish (1983). In 2001, Argentina hosted the event and turned in its most dominant performance yet. Home cooking seemed to do the trick as the Argentines won the title and Javier Saviola won the Golden Ball Award as MVP and the Golden Boot as the top scorer with 11 goals.
Number of Previous U-20 World Cup Appearances: 9
All-time record: 58 games played, 43 wins, 3 draws, 14 losses
Goals for: 121 Goals against: 47
Biggest victory: 7-1 vs. Egypt in 2001
Biggest defeat: 0-3 vs. Portugal in 1991, 1-4 vs. Mexico in 1999
Hosted the U-20 World Cup: 2001
1977 – Did not qualify
1979 – CHAMPIONS
1981 – First round
1983 – Finalist
1985 – Did not qualify
1987 – Did not qualify
1989 – Quarter-finals
1991 – First round
1993 – Did not qualify
1995 – CHAMPIONS
1997 – CHAMPIONS
1999 – Second round
2001 – CHAMPIONS
2003 – Semifinals (4th place)
2005 – CHAMPIONS
