South American U-20 Championship 2009

[FC Basher]

Tonights Game
Bolivia U20 v Paraguay U20 (23:00GMT) 7.00 4.00 1.57
Chile U20 v Brazil U20 (01:00GMT) 5.75 3.75 1.57

Bolivia
South American U-20 Championship Profile: Bolivia
The South American U-20 Championships in Venezuela are sure to provide a footballing feast this winter and here we profile one of the sides in the 'Group Of Death': Bolivia.

Bolivia arrive at this tournament with some valuable experience from the Under-17 Championships in Ecuador last year where, despite failing to reach the final, they did impress with some of their play.

Oscar Villegas has chosen many members from that team to travel to Venezuela for this tournament but their job has seemingly been made harder by the temporary expulsion of Peru from international competition.

Previously, the Bolivians were in an easier group on paper but now find themselves with Uruguay, Brazil, Chile and Paraguay, in what has predictably been labelled as the 'Group Of Death.'

The coach has a real mixed blend in the squad, with a couple of under sixteen players, but many who are regular starters for their respective club teams.

Their recent victory over Argentina in a friendly signals them out as a decent side; anyone who underestimates them could well pay.

Fixtures

20/1 vs. Uruguay
22/1 vs. Brazil
24/1 vs. Chile
26/1 vs. Paraguay

Key Players

Vladimir Castellón - Aurora (Bolivia) - 18 years old

Castellón was singled out as a star in the last Bolivian season when he helped Aurora win their first ever title in the club's history by scoring 12 times in the championship. He is a physical striker despite his nonthreatening appearance and he will be a handful in Venezuela.

Ricardo Verduguez - Blooming (Bolivia) - 19 years old

The left-winger is one of the more experienced members of the squad and has already played for the full Bolivian side despite his young age. He has plenty of pace and skill and, having contributed in the last South American Under-20 Championships, he should have no problem finding his feet.

Amilcar Sánchez - Jorge Wilstermann (Bolivia) - 19 years old

A battling player, Sánchez can either play in the middle of the park, controlling the play or out on the right. He has an eye for goal and should be a key piece in the Bolivian puzzle at this tournament.

Diego Suarez - Dynamo Kiev (Ukraine) - 16 years old

The youngest ever player to feature in the Copa Libertadores, Suarez has bags of potential and is certainly one of the most exciting players in this Bolivian side. The midfielder was an important part of the team back in the Under-17 tournament and he should be an integral member of their squad once again.

Other Players

Sebastián Molina - Guabirá (Bolivia) - 18 years old

One of the fastest players in this Bolivian squad, Molina usually plays behind the front men and possesses great technique and has a good eye for a pass too.

Samuel Galindo - Real America (Bolivia) - 16 years old

Not a typical Bolivian forward, Galindo gets goals with his height and aerial presence; expect him to be a handful in and around the box.

Juan Pablo Zabala - Ironi Ramat (Israel) - 18 years old

Despite not having played much for the Under-20 side, the coach knows Zabala scores goals and his attitude and determination could be key in this side.

The Coach

Oscar Villegas has been in charge of all the Bolivian youth teams since August 2006 and whilst they have not won trophies, they have impressed and improved. He is familiar with most of these players so should have a good understanding and this side could be a surprise package.

The Squad

(All based locally unless otherwise stated)

Alex Arancibia, Eliseo Isaías Dury, Jorge Leonardo Toco, Ricardo Verduguez, Amilcar Alvaro Sánchez, Ronald Rea, Fernando Javier Saucedo, Darío Tudor, Rudy Alejandro Cardozo (Irony Ramat, Israel), Vladimir Castellón, Pedro Armando Lusquiño, Sebastián Molina, Alcides Peña, Jehanamed Castedo, Diego Orlando Suárez (Dinamo Kiev, Ukraine), Jorge Gonzáles, Ronald Lorgio Suárez (Universidad de Chile), Samuel Galindo, Daniel Bejarano, Alejandro Méndez.

Paraguay
South American U-20 Championship Profile: Paraguay
The South American Under 20 Championships are rapidly approaching and Goal.com takes a look at one of the contenders, Paraguay...

Paraguay might be topping the South American qualifying at the top level but they have been poor in this age group lately, failing to qualify for the last two Under 20 World Championships.

In 2005 they failed to qualify from the first phase in the South American Youth Championships and then in 2007, when they were hosts, they failed to make it finish in the top four, despite the success at the top level.

They have only won the title once back in 1971 and coach, Adrián Coria, has called up just a few players from the unsuccessful Under 17 tournament back in 2007.

The team are not expected to be one of the favourites for the title, and whilst with Paez and Huth they have talent, they perhaps the quality to end their silverware drought.

Fixtures

20/1 vs. Brazil
24/1 vs. Uruguay
26/1 vs. Bolivia
28/1 vs. Chile

Star Players

Luis Fernando Páez - Fátima (POR) - 19 years old

One of the two European based players in the squad, Páez is a quick forward with a good technique and an eye for goal. Playing for Fátima at the moment but belongs to Portuguese giants Sporting Lisbon.

Ronald Huth - Liverpool (ENG) - 19 years old

Huth grew up at the same club as Páez and has moved to Europe just like his old team-mate too. A strong defender who is very good in the air too, he will be key in both penalty areas for Paraguay.

Nicolás Martínez - Olimpia (PAR) - 19 years old

A revelation in his first season with Olimpia, and now in his second, Martínez is proving to be a key player for them. An attacking midfielder who can pick out a pass, he will have a lot of responsibilty on his shoulders as he tries to link the play at the front.

Joel Silva - Guaraní (PAR) - 19 years old

The undisputed first choice goalkeeper for Guaraní, Silva has lived up to his hype so far, and can still improve a lot more. Is not afraid to shout at his defence and to bark orders and it is this personality which has earned him a full national call-up and the captains armband here.

Other Players

Iván Piris – Cerro Porteño (PAR) – 19 years old

Piris recently received an award for the best young Paraguayan player of 2008 and his pace and skill will be a threat down the right side in this tournament, both going forward and at the back.

Celso Fabián Ortiz – Cerro Porteño (PAR) – 19 years old

A versatile player, Ortiz is best known for his great ability from set-pieces and for shooting from distance, and with Paraguay not the strongest team on the ground, he could be key in Venezuela.

Rodrigo Burgos – Cerro Porteño (PAR) 19 years old

Another emerging talent from Cerro Porteño, Burgos is a strong central midfielder in the form of Javier Mascherano. He can drive forward with the ball and is remarkably loud on the pitch given his shy nature off it.

The Coach

Adrián Coria has been an assitant with Gerrado Martino at the top level for many years now and was appointed coach of the Under 20 side back in the summer of 2008. This tournament will mark his official debut as coach.

The Squad

Goalkeepers: Joel Silva (Guaraní, PAR) and Gerardo Ortiz (Quilmes, ARG)

Defenders: Iván Piris (Cerro Porteño, PAR), Rolando García (2 de Mayo, PAR), Diego Ayala (Libertad, PAR), Francisco Silva (Libertad, PAR), César Benítez (Cerro Porteño, PAR), Jonni Cabrera (Cerro Porteño, PAR) and Ronald Huth (Liverpool, ENG).

Midfielders: Freddy Coronel (Libertad, PAR), Hernán Pérez (Libertad, PAR), Celso Ortiz (Cerro Porteño, PAR), Rodrigo Burgos (Cerro Porteño, PAR), Nicolás Martínez (Olimpia, PAR), Aldo Paniagua (General Caballero, PAR) and Gustavo Cristaldo (Libertad, PAR)

Forwards: Robin Ramírez (Libertad, PAR), Federico Santander (Guaraní, PAR), Luis Páez (Fátima, POR) and Jorge Sanabria (Sportivo Luqueño, PAR).
Paraguay v Brazil
Paraguay Frustrate Brazil In Draw
Brazil proved superior to Paraguay throughout the majority of the ninety minutes, but they had to settle for a frustrating 1-1 draw in Puerto Ordaz.


Paraguay picked up a valuable 1-1 draw with Brazil, in a match that the Brazilians dominated for large periods, and were unlucky not to win.

The only two goals of the match were converted by Walter for Brazil in the 7th minute, and by Hernan Perez of Paraguay in the 78th minute.

In the 4th minute Paraguay just about went ahead when a Celso Ortiz effort almost got the better of Brazil goalkeeper Renan.

But after that incident, Brazil took complete control of the match, and in the 7th minute they went in front through Walter, who beat Joel Silva with a spectacular 35 metre drive.

As the half progressed both teams had their chances to score. Brazil came closest when a fine individual effort from Douglas Costa finished in the ball hitting the woodwork.

It seemed just a matter of minutes before the Brazilians would double their advantage, after a series of dangerous attacks.

In the second period, Brazil created several clear-cut opportunities to extend their lead, but they failed to capitalise.

Brazil were made to pay for their lack of finishing, as Paraguayan midfielder Hernan Perez beat Renan with a low drive in the 78th minute, to give his side a share of the points.

Uruguay lead Group B of the U-20 South American championship with three points, after a clear 2-0 victory over Bolivia.
Chile
South American U-20 Championship Profile: Chile
At Goal.com we offer the best coverage you can find the South American Youth Championship, and we begin by introducing the ten teams participating with our exclusive special reports. In this edition we look to Chile. Meet the main figures.


Chile reached the South American U-20 Championship with the mission to repeat the great performances that mustered up in 2007, when they finished first in the "Youth of America" tournament and then third in the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Canada.

In the two previous U-20 tournaments Chile were under the command of Jose Sulantay, and under his leadership they reached the World Cups in Netherlands 2005 and Canada 2007. The task is now handed to Ivo Basay, who will lead Chile into competition for the first time.

Basay initially selected 33 players, and has been slowly trimming some names as we approach the final registration required by Conmebol. It's been a lengthy process, but overall a positive one: due to the fact they do not have many players who are based with foreign teams, Chile have had the advantage of time to prepare for this competition.

Fixtures in the South American U-20 Championship:

20/1 Free
22/1 vs. Uruguay
24/1 vs. Bolivia
26/1 vs. Brazil
28/1 vs. Paraguay

Figures:

Paulo Magalhaes - Cobreloa (CHI) - 19 years old

The right-sided midfielder has a game based on speed, and Magalhaes is a player who was featured in the Cobreloa side that reached the semifinals of the last Clausura tournament, losing only to Colo Colo. The 19-year-old constantly demonstrates a mature, offensive approach to the game.

Boris Sagredo - Palestino (CHI) - 19 years old

The offensive midfielder has recently moved back to his first club, Palestino, on loan after an unsuccessful spell at Colo Colo. He only played the first match before Luis Musrri took him out, citing the reason that "it weighed on him too much to be a Colo Colo player." Sagredo became a leading figure in second-half of the season for Palestino, and his ability to control the play with his left foot is his main weapon of attack. Perhaps another big move awaits him...

Marcos Medel - Audax Italiano (CHI) - 19 years old

Medel is the natural successor at Audax Italiano to former player Carlos Villanueva, with his sweet left foot. The creative player is one of the alternatives Basay has to address the link between midfield and attack.. However, the coach of Chile sometimes uses a formation with only one striker.

Sebastian Barrientos - U. Católica (CHI) - 19 years old

Barrientos lept to the fore when Fernando Carvallo gave him his first team debut at Universidad Catolica in in a Copa Sudamericana match against Porto Alegre. The young striker was born in the southern city of Osorno and he has been attracting glances from all sectors of Chilean football. 'Seba' has won a permanent place among the U-20, and he is skillful striker, small, with great mobility and the ability to score.

Rafael Caroca - Colo Colo (CHI) - 19 years old

Caroca has moved on loan from Colo Colo last year to play for O'Higgins Rancagua, where he managed to get regular first-team action. He has great experience becomes he has played in the U-23 Toulon tournament in 2008, and recently made his debut for the senior national side.

Sebastián Parot - U. Católica (CHI) - 19 years old

Parot currently plays with Universidad Catolica, where he played fairly regularly throughout the year of 2008. He is a great defender and has a strong physical presence, which could seen him establish himself as the central defender alongside Rafael Caroca.

Francisco Pizarro - U. Católica (CHI) - 19 years old

Another Universidad Catolica player, the striker has already entered into the full consideration of Marcelo Bielsa for the Chile senior squad, and his physical game allows him to worry rival defenders. He is one of the most experienced players that Basay could select, and he could emerge as a holding-up-play forward with two attackers off him.

Coach: Ivo Basay

Basay seemed headed for Chile's youth wings since before current national team boss Marcelo 'El Loco' Bielsa took over. After being consistently linked with the job for a while he finally was given it in order to provide the bridge between the youth and Loco's senior national side. His first outings were extremely successful, such as when he led the side to second place at the Milk Cup in Ireland. But it's been downhill since then: the recent friendlies against Uruguay ended badly, and qualification was a rocky path. Nonetheless few doubt Basay's aptitude too much, and confidence is high that he can lead the team to success at the 'Juventud de América' tournament.

Squad

Goalkeepers: Fabián Cerda Valdés (U. Católica), Gregory Saavedra Morales (U. Española).

Defenders: Carlos Labrín Candia (Huachipato), Bastián Arce Ramírez (Colo Colo),Bruno Romo Rojas (Colo Colo), Fabián Torres Cuello (U. de Chile), Agustín Parra Repetto (Stgo. Wanderers), Paulo Magalhaes Lobos (Cobreloa) and Alfonso Parot Rojas (U. Católica).

Midfielders: Esteban Sáez Mondaca (Palestino), Boris Sagredo Romero (Colo Colo), Charles Aránguiz Sandoval (Cobreloa), Rafael Caroca Cordero (Colo Colo), Ariel Salinas Salinas (Colo Colo), Sebastián Barrientos Olivares (U. Católica) and Marco Medel de la Fuente (Audax Italiano).

Attackers: Mauricio Gómez Ríos (U. de Chile), David Llanos Almonacid (Huachipato), Francisco Pizarro Cartes (U. Católica) and Eduardo Vargas Rojas (Cobreloa).

Bolivia 1 - 2 Brazil
Brazil Only Manage To Scrape Past Bolivia
Brazil came from behind to defeat Bolivia 2-1 in a highly contested U-20 South American Championship Group B match in Puerto Ordaz..

Brazil escaped with a narrow 2-1 victory over Bolivia in a match that they struggled to dominate at times.

Their goals were scored by the exciting Internacional pair of Walter and Tales in either half.

Bolivia, who lost 2-0 to Uruguay earlier in the week, rarely threatened the Brazil goal, but they were awarded a penalty in the 23rd minute after Rafael Toloi brought a player down in the area.

Vladimir Castellon's effort was blocked by Renan, but Jehanmed Castedo fired home the rebound to give the Bolivians a surprise lead.

But the Brazilians hit back in the 35th minute when Walter finished off a well worked attacking move.

With the equalizer Brazil settled some nerves, and they began to play the ball around with efficiency, to the frustration of the hard-working, but highly unorganized Bolivians.

Brazil tried to break them down with some dangerous collective moves, and they pushed forward in large numbers for the remainder of the half.

After the break it was much of the same, as Brazil piled heavy pressure on the Bolivian goal. They looked extremely aggressive when in the Bolivia half, and it seemed that at any moment they would score.

Brazil's winner finally came in the 51st minute with a powerful finish from substitute Tales De Souza.

But three minutes later Rafael Toloi reduced Brazil to ten men after his second bookable offense.

Despite their numerical disadvantage, Brazil continued to dominate, and came close to scoring their third goal after an effort from the ever-lively Tales.

Bolivia, who lost their second consecutive match of the competition, finished the game with ten men as well, after Sebastian Molina was ejected.

Uruguay 3 Chile 2 In Five-Goal Thriller
Uruguay edged Chile 3-2 in an action packed encounter played at the Cachamay de Puerto Ordaz stadium on Thursday....

Uruguay pushed to the attack straight from the kick-off, and they went ahead inside the first minute after a strike from AC Milan youngster Tabare Viudez.

But Chile hit back six minutes later with a magnificent Charles Aranguiz free-kick that got the better of Uruguay goalkeeper Nicola Perez.

The Chileans dominated proceedings after their equalizer, and they went ahead in the 9th minute when Boris Sagredo converted a penalty kick.

It seemed that Chile were more relaxed, as the minutes ticked away, but this allowed the Uruguayans to come back into the game, and they created several clear-cut opportunities, before Agustin Pena drew them level in the 41th minute, when he knocked the ball home after Viudez's earlier effort hit the post.

After the break, Uruguay looked for the victory at all moments. They came close to scoring through Abel Hernandez and then through Jonathan Urretaviscaya.

In the 70th minute the Uruguayans finally went ahead, when Nacional striker Santiago Garcia rounded Chile goalkeeper Gregory Saavedra and slotted the ball into an unguarded net.

Towards the end of the match Uruguay came close to extending their advantage through substitute Nicolas Lodeiro, who scored twice in the win over Bolivia.

Uruguay picked up their second consecutive victory of Group B and are in a commanding position at the top of the standings.
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[FC Basher]

Top 3 go though in this last round of games,as you can see its only goal difference that separate these countries
Team GP W D L GF GC +/- Points
Venezuela 3 1 2 0 4 2 2 5
Argentina 3 1 2 0 5 4 1 5
Colombia 3 1 2 0 3 2 1 5
Ecuador 3 1 2 0 2 1 1 5
Perú 4 0 0 4 3 8 -5 0

27 Jan 23:00 Argentina U20 v Ecuador U20 1.57 3.60 5.75
28 Jan 01:00 Venezuela U20 v Colombia U20 2.90 2.80 2.70

Argentina and Colombia are impressive sides and should beat an Ecuador who look lightweight upfront and Venezuela are the hosts but are well behind the skill and talent level of the Colombians

Suggested bets - Argentina and Colombia 3pts double
Argentina U20 to win by 2 or more goals 2.70 2pts
Colombia U20 to score first 2.00 2pts