U-20 Final Preview by Bobby Mcmahon

Instead of writing a preview for the U-20 final match, I've found a good one written by Fox Soccer Channel commentator and analyst Bobby Mcmahon.

I don't quite agree with Mr. Mcmahon's result prediction though.
Our defense won't feature all regular starters. Before the semi, I almost expected Cahais to draw a yellow and get himself suspended, but totally didn't see Yacob's yellow coming. Like I said in earlier writeup, the tactical foul by Yacob was probably necessary, but it turned out very costly. Escudero is injured, so we'll have to play a third string DM, which will likely be Matias Sanchez. We also need a CB to fill in for Cahais. That is Leonardo Sigali's duty.
These players are substitutes for a reason. Never the less, they're capable of fulfilling their responsibilities. But I think a conservative estimation should credit Czech with at least 1 goal.
Also, if Di Maria couldn't play, Mauro Matias Zarate will likely start in his place. Zarate is a good player and his NT career is coming to an end, so this unexpected swap will also give him a chance to say farewell to his fans.

Here's Mr. Bobby Mcmahon's preview.

Sunday's FIFA U-20 World Cup final between Argentina and the Czech Republic will be a clash of the two continents that have dominated the fifteen editions of the youth tournament.

But although Europe (6 wins) and South America (9 wins) have shut out the other federations, it will only be the fifth time that the two powerhouse continents will have actually met in the final game.

Three times South America has come out on top ('79 Argentina beat USSR; '85 Brazil beat Spain and again in '03) while Europe's lone win was in 1991 when Portugal beat Brazil.

The 1991 win by Portugal proved to be a watershed. Up to that point Europe had won five tournaments to South America's three. Since then only a single Spanish win in 1997 has interrupted six South American wins — four by Argentina and two by Brazil.

Now Argentina is poised to make it six wins overall and their fifth under-20 championship in the last seven tournaments. Not unexpectedly Argentina is an overwhelming favourite to lift the trophy given that they have dominated the tournament to date.

FIFA Under-20 World Cup Final, Czech Republic vs. Argentina
Sunday, July 22 at the National Soccer Stadium (BMO Field) in Toronto at 3:15 p.m. ET

The Statistics

Argentina leads in almost all the positive categories — most goals scored (14), the least number conceded (1), most shots on goal (54) and most attempts on goal (98). In six games so far Argentina has won five games and drawn one while winning all three games in the knockout rounds in regulation time.

Compared to Argentina's statistics you wonder how the Czech Republic has even reached the final. In the six games so far they have only won two games in regulation time while drawing the other four. Two of the four draws have taken place in the knockout rounds and in both games the Czechs needed a penalty kick decider to beat Japan and Spain.

The Czechs have scored nine goals in their six games while conceding six. They have only managed 29 shots on the opposition goal and fans have had to wait an average of over twenty minutes between Czech attempts on goal.

A tournament leading 19 yellow cards and a fouls committed tally of 136 (also a competition high) is a clear indication that this Czech Republic team takes no prisoners. The run by the Czechs to the final has been termed a fairytale — if it is then the fairies are wearing Doc Martens.

The Tactics, the Coaches & the Players

Just a few years ago a match between these two teams would have had most neutral fans drooling with expectation. But somewhere along the line Czech coach Miroslav Soukup has moved away from the traditional Czech game and instead he has produced a side built on size, strength, organization and opportunism.

In the sixties Josef Masopust won the European Player of the Year and drove Czechoslovakia to a World Cup runners-up spot. In the seventies there was Antonin Panenka, he of the cheeky European Championship final penalty kick. In the last decade we have thrilled to the play of the likes of Patrik Berger, Pavel Nedved and Karel Poborsky. That legacy is not part of this Czech team.

Perhaps it was losing to the much less talented Greece in the semifinal of Euro 2004 that influenced the Czechs with Miroslav Soukop opting for a more dire strain of football over anything that a neutral fan may find appealing. Or it might have been losing to Belgium and Scotland in the European age-group qualifiers last summer.

But no matter the reason, the Czechs are not going to change what has got them to the final of this tournament. Expect them to play a 4-5-1 with Marek Strestik the lone striker. Martin Fenin (2 goals) and Lubos Kalouda (3 goals) move forward in support and Marek Suchy also pops up from a deeper position now and again. Ondrej Kudela is another midfielder who has got his name on the score sheet and is one of four players to play every minute so far.

Goalkeeper Radek Petr is another ever-present and he may have to reprise his role in the Czechs opening game of the tournament when he almost singlehandedly held off Argentina to record a 0-0 draw. Petr Janda has appeared in all six games but will miss the final match after picking up a second yellow card of the knockout stage.

For Hugo Tocalli it will be his first world final after falling at the semifinal stage in three other tournaments. Tocalli has kept faith with a core of players throughout the six games so far. Goalkeeper Sergio Romero has been an ever present as has central defender Federico Fazio and full back Emiliano Insua. However, captain Matias Cahais will miss the final due to suspension. German Voboril is the most likely replacement.

With a traditional back four Argentina plays with four in midfield and two up front. But just as Cahais is missing in defense Argentina will also be missing a key midfielder and more than likely a forward as well.

Claudio Yacob the defensive midfielder has also run afoul of the officials and will miss the final through suspension. Matias Sanchez is the player that will probably slip into the position in support of Ever Banega. Up front it looks as if Angel Di Maria may miss the game after picking up a suspected hamstring injury in the second half against Chile.

Di Maria did not start a game until the round of sixteen match against Poland but he has been a real spark plug since replacing the disappointing Mauro Zarate.

Di Maria, Maximiliano Moralez and Sergio Aguero have been the main attacking threat for Argentina. Twelve of the fourteen goals have come from this trio and they have also chipped in with eight helpers between them. If he is unavailable Di Maria will be sorely missed.

The Prediction

Unfortunately I hold out no hope whatsoever that this game will be a classic in any way. The Czechs will look to grind out a result and be quite happy to take the game to penalty kicks. Argentina I fear will be looking to exaggerate the Czech propensity to give away free kicks.

Prediction — Argentina to win 2-0.