Teams in both group (Group A and B) played out their second-games of the ongoing FIFA Under-20 World Cup holding in South Korea. A “comical” own-goal headlines England U-20 1–1 stalemate with Guinea U-20, while hosts South Korea U-20 edged Argentina U-20 2–1 in their second group-stage game. Though the big winners were Venezuela, who whitewashed Vanuatu a whopping sevens goals to nil, while tournament's two heavyweights, Germany and Mexico settled for a goalless draw.
South Korea 2, Argentina 1
South Korea are perfect through two games in the cadet championship after two first-half goals apparently led them over a resilient Argentina team.
In the eighth minute, Seung Woo Lee got the opener with a clever run and well-placed shot. Later in the forty-second minute, Seung Ho Paik doubled the lead from the penalty-spot. South Korea's Young Wook Cho was in a “50-50” ball contest with Argentina goalkeeper Franco Petroli as the both players violently collided, sending Franco Petroli “spinning” through the air.Petroli was given a yellow-card for the foul.
Forward Marcelo Torres pulled one back for Argentina in the forty-ninth minute after a brilliant through pass from midfielder Santiago Colombatto, but that was not enough to guarantee the young Argentinians a comeback. With this crucial win, hosts South Korea leads the way in Group A with six points, while Argentina are yet to earn a point through two-games.
England 1, Guinea 1
Bournemouth central midfielder Lewis Cook gave England the lead with a well-placed shot from far range in the fifty-third minute, but was unraveled seven minutes later. A clumsy back-pass from Fikayo Tomori missed its intended-target and eventually bumbled its way into the Three Lions net to tie up the scoreline for the Guineans.
Several open missed chances “characterized” much of the encounter as the both teams struggled to get shots on goal. The Three Lions had some free-looks in front of goal, but failed to find the back of the net.
Guinea's closest chance came early in the second-half when star player Oumar Toure slammed a shot off the crossbar after beating Three Lions defense and goalkeeper.
England now lie second in Group A with four-points after the stalemate, while Guinea sits on the third spot after earning their first-point of the championship.
Mexico 0, Germany 0
Germany had better chances in front of goal firing twelve shots on target compared to Mexico's six. The man of the game was Mexico goalie Abraham Romero, who apparently rebound nicely after conceding two-goals to Vanuatu in their opener. Romero made an incredible seven saves in the encounter and several of them were close range attempts. Overall too, El Tri backlines deserves some credits as they barricaded tactical German attacking forces to only twelve shots despite their commanding possession for the most of the game.
Germany sits third in Group B with a game in hand, while Mexico grip on the third spot with four-points.
Venezuela 7, Vanuatu 0
High flying Venezuela got the opener after thirty minutes of play and never stopped scoring. Sergio Cordova doubled the lead in the fourty second minute, before Penaranda extended the scoreline to 3-0 before halftime. Later in the fifty-sixth minute Farinez converted a penalty after a handball committed in the box by Vanuatu goalkeeper Andreas Duch. Sergio Cordova scored his second and fifth goal before Hurtado and Sosa capped the victory for an inspired Venezuela team. Although, there were several “pretty” goals to go along with the rout but “stupendous efforts” from Vanuatu goalkeeper Andreas Duch prevented them.
With this massive victory, Venezuela maintain their lead in Group B with six-points, while Vanuatu sits bottom with no points.
