FIFA U20 Women's World Cup 19/11 - 07/12

[MickeyPaul]

I meant to say, Bet365 now @ 6.00 for Chile and Beanie has been getting me excited about them. We should hopefully have a suitably mental (and spicy) crowd willing them on (which worked absolute wonders for NZ in the U17s) and as mentioned above, they've managed to beat England before and have been gearing up for this big time. The English girls may get a wee fright in this. Go Chile!

[MickeyPaul]

For the record, expekt are also covering this although there's little there that's tempting at the moment. They look to be best priced for Nigeria though @ 1.65 for those of you who are interested.

And looks like they're doing live in-play same as bet365

[MickeyPaul]

0-0 HT and Argentina with a couple of amazing let offs particularly early on when everyone somehow missed a 100% red card as an Argie girl punched the ball away as China tried to knock it across the 6 yard box.

China certainly more quality but Argentina getting stuck in from the off (some 'enthusiastic'.... maybe even 'dirty' tackling). It's all been about those missing China strikers - if they'd been on they'd be at least a couple of goals up. Argentina have given them a few scares too mind but I think it's going to be a nervy 2nd half and we might be hanging on for a point.

[Beanie]

Well done lads - a nervy one with some great chances for China but Argentina caused them a lot of problems, got stuck in(with a v lenient ref) and ground out a 0-0. China the better team but both struggled in the heat late on. A good start to the day. Come on now Chile(and Nigeria)!

[MickeyPaul]

Woo hoo. 0-0 FT - never in doubt.

Argentina looked a different side 2nd half and China a bit lethargic I thought and I had Argentina down as shading it till last 15 minutes when they reeeeally looked tired after the amount of running they'd done. We had some heart in the mouth moments but again, have to stress the difference here I feel was those missing Chinese strikers. They didn't have anyone to finish.

China began to tire themselves last 10 or so and it was becoming agony to watch as Argentina looked out on their feet but almost nicked it at the death. Glad to get that one out the way. Phew.

edit: Beanie is right about the ref. Some incredible leniency.

[Beanie]

Im beginning to wonder if DR Congo are all that bad. 10 of their squad played at the U20s in 2006 suggesting they took a very young squad to that tourney, and should come into this with both an older squad and a more experienced one.

Their coach also makes a good point about how they plan to let the heat work in their favour, as they have Germany, Canada and Japan in their group, all teams who could struggle in any early matches with the 30 degree temperatures.

(Altho I've just checked and their games are at either 7pm or 9pm )

Nevertheless, they sound reasonably confident that this is their year to atleast get a point or a win on the board, and we should see a decent price on them to do so.

Germany might be too big an ask, but those Canadians look vulnerable...thats a match to jot down and have a look at later.

[MickeyPaul]

Speaking of experience, I saw France talking about that earlier:

As they prepare their bid for the global title, the French have been placing much emphasis on their experience. "We'll be disputing our second World Cup in a row and that proves France now belong in the European elite," declared coach Stephane Pilard shortly after the qualifiers. "Taking part in a World Cup is the kind of experience you can't replace."

[Alex014]

USA-France tied so far at halftime 0-0. Teams do appear pretty evenly matched.

[Beanie]

Get in Nigeria! Never seen a team fluff so many unbelievable chances, so I dont know whether a last minute winner is justified or not.

Chile are now 7.50 at Bet365 - what a bet! I've enough riding on them already as well as a few doubles and trebles, but thats a truly stunning price - all the patriotic cash of the English punters is pouring on and 7.50 in what should be an even game - 100% that is where the value play is here.

[MickeyPaul]

Same thing happened before Korea took England apart in the U17s - we laughed in their faces that time and we laugh in their faces now. Hahahah!

Gulp.

[Beanie]

2-0 England in the end - a very even match with the difference being England taking their chances, and Chile missing some golden opportunities.

England look decent - quick and skillful, altho a bit rusty at the back. Chile are their own worst enemy, no composure in defence or attack, but underneath it all is a very clever team that can open defences up in a flash. Whether it comes good or not remains to be seen as their tactics were wrong tonight.

[MickeyPaul]

On my mind for tomorrow is Brazil not to lose @ 1.66 bet365 - ridiculously impressive qualifying results (30 scored and none conceded I think) and although DPR are something of a 'machine' (as Beanie called them) they were very highly rated in the U17's tourney too but started pretty slow and didn't look great until meeting the Danes and moving up a few levels.

Possible interest in Japan too (with Canada looking rather dire in the video I saw) but will leave things till tomorrow. I got some Chile in my eyes and it stings.

[Beanie]

I like Japan today.

Their price is rising and rising, presumably as people look at Canada's qualifying results(where they won the Americas qualifying) - but the only relevant result from that really(bar a narrow win over Mexico) is the 1-0 win over the USA in the final.

Having watched the match it was incredibly one sided, the USA being ridiculously wasteful but completely dominating(along with the almost obligatory miss from a yard), and Canada scoring one very good individual goal on the break, but otherwise looking very slow and disjointed throughout the 90.

Japan are an accomplished team, twice pushing DPR close in qualifying, and beating Australia 1-0 and Myanmar 8-0, as well as a penalty victory over Korea.

Asian football is the best in the world at the moment in the women's game, and Japan, like the other nations, have put extensive resources towards it, and 4 members of this squad are members of the Senior squad.

I think we could see the Japanese do as they did in the U17s and really cut loose in the group stages against some ordinary sides, and Canada certainly look to drop into that category.

Just a small, speculative bet tho as there are question marks over the sides, and I might be doing Canada a slight disservice, but we'll see.

1pt Japan -1 @ 4.20 with Bet365

[MickeyPaul]

Canada I expect will prove to be 'solid' like the U17 team without showing a great deal of flair and as I said, having also watched their game with USA, they looked poor and couldn't string more than two passes together.

Not easy to make a decision based on one game but.... but.... as you pointed out, the Asian women's game at this level is probably the highest just now and Japan are up there.

I'm going to consider the Japan/Japan HT/FT @ 3.25 bet365 (might be better available) as they tend to start incredibly fast and get in while the other team is still settling. I'll have a think about your handicap bet too.

I'm still hunting around for anything that stands out in this one so don't quote me on anything yet.

[rcgills]

Paddy Power have got prices up for this too now. 50 markets on some of the matches, 1 market on others (presumably the ones that are on Eurosport are the ones with 50 markets - Mexico v Norway and Congo v Germany?).

Strange, as when I asked them yesterday (or the day before, forget now) whether they were going to offer it, they said no. Must've been my closing line in the live chat of "OK, no problem, I know some other sites are offering it, I'll have a look there" that did it

It's under "Thursday's soccer coupon", by the way.