Anja's Message

Photograph : FIFA's official Jubalani football

THANKS TO sTUDIO mAI TEO FOR DESIGNING THE U20 WORLD CUP SITE

Hallo und Wilkomen to this footballgirl.com's U20 World Cup section.

 

2 year's since we went to South America for Chile's version we land in Germany this 2010, to see the next generation of world class players. There will be alot of pressure on the host nation Germany who have always shown their strength at youth level. So after years of producing players at senior level do they have what it takes to win this year.

 

Following Germany and always a big name at this level is Korea DPR. The Asian's finished 2nd in 2008 and won the tournament destroying China PR 3-0 in Russia 2006.

 

Their combination of speed, teamwork and physical play have changed the level of youth football around the world. They are also a nation which does not travel or compete as much as the other countries, which for coaches makes it impossible to prepare tactically.

In 2006 Korea DPR showed the world how to attack with their full backs pushing forward, attackers who ran after every loose ball and a midfield that always dropped back to defend. 9 players from that youth team went onto represent the senior side within 2 years and with China failing to qualify for Germany 2011 Korea DPR have become the new force in Asia.

USA are the holders of the Championship winning in 2008 against Korea DPR. They were a team that constantly played at the same tempo and speed that others could not handle for 80 minutes of foootball.

Their teamwork and bond was also eveident as they went all the way with individual players (such as) Sydney Leroux adding to the structure not taking away form the team. USA will be one of the favourites to win this tournament.

 

 

Growing Problems
Japan. Everyone knows who Japan's Manu Iwabuchi is now. Wether they saw her play in 2008's U17's in New Zealand or through her reputation which is on the upturn. The problem with Japan is how much they rely on Iwabuchi this year. The team broke down when she was runnning out of ideas (against Lois Fidler's 4-5-1 England) and at this age group it is simply too much to put on the shoulders of someone soo young.

Their speed and technique will have to be watched if it comes close to 2008, then we are in for a real show of talent. At this age tactics make all the difference when players lose their shape and the grind of playing tournament football builds. Japan's lack of tactical acumen or it's execution led to their eventual downfall while England progressed with theirs.

 

England this time do have the talent. In Gilly Flaherty they have one their best young defenders for a generation . Add to Arsenal's Flaherty, Lucy Bronze and the ever impressive Gemma Bonner and Shelby Hills in defence. In midfield they have the 'baby dynamo' in Jordan Nobbs who at 17 years of age has an impressive amount of domestic and international experience. Tactically and through experience coach Mo Marley will lead a good squad of players who have lots of experince at preamier league level.

An injury to star player Toni Duggan will be a major problem and hopefully England will be more expansive playing 4-4-2 with Duggan and Sunderland's Demi Stokes, rather than a 4-5-1 which they have used at youth level recently. Brazil and England will be in that group of teams that can get through the group stage then use their tactics to get past better playing nations. Then you move onto the countries that may be dark horse at this cup.

New Zealand and Switzerland have talent. Not big, known, worldwide talent but enough players with enough energy to make a name for themselves. New Zeland did this already in the past 2 years. The Olympic team was full of teenagers and both the U17 and U20's have impressed. Switzerland of course have a new generation of players led by Lara Dickenmann in the senior team along with Atlanta Beat's Ramona Bachmann.

Other countries like Nigeria and Ghana out of Africa have to step up. In 5 years we have seen a fall in African play. Even with a star player like Rita Chickwelu the Nigerian team failed to live up to expectations in Chile 2008.

Physically the African nations have been at the top at youth level but with the rise of North Korea DPR, tactics and skill levels they must now act to stay in touch with the other nations or they may slowly crumble to the level of their senior teams.

 

France have all the facilities and players to make a difference but we wonder how physically they will do. All the technique and flair but at this age group the difference can be heart.

The impact of the tournament on the host nation will be important and no country will support our game like Germany who will put on a show a year before the main World Cup comes to town.

Unlike next year's tounament it is a beautiful idea to use only 4 cities. Everyone knows where and how to get to stadia and teh distance between stadiums will be easier to commute. As a journalist it will be a case of 2 hotels instead of 8 for next year's logistically larger tounament.

So the next 3 weeks and we will have a new champion but at this level we look for 2 things of importance. Those players who look like they will impact our game at the senior level and how much progress footballgirls have made in the past 2 years.

..and I must say a big good luck to the 18 footballgirl players who we manage and who'll be at this U20 World Cup. We here wish you the best and enjoy the show!!

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