Osei reveals golden agenda

Osei reveals golden agenda
(FIFA.com) Monday 5 October 2009
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Two years and one month have elapsed since Ransford Osei's last interview with FIFA.com. In those 25 months a lot has happened in the life of the Ghanaian teenager. Back on 4 September 2007, he was preparing for a semi-final match against Spain in the semi-final of the FIFA U-17 World Cup, but it was a game which didn't exactly go to plan for the Black Starlets.

"We were unlucky because it was 1-1 until the last four minutes of extra time," he recalled. "Bojan scored a very intelligent goal and, given the time, it was impossible for us to come back. It's still painful when I think about it, but the memories of that have made me stronger."

Osei's six goals at Korea 2007 went a long way in helping him win a senior international debut in a friendly against Togo. It also attracted the attention of Maccabi Haifa, who signed him initially on loan, before they awarded him a three-year contract. However, the youngster failed to settle and he now finds himself on loan at FC Twente.

"I found it tough in Israel," admitted Osei. "I was only 17 when I went there and I found the culture very different to what I'd experienced in Ghana. I didn't enjoy the food, I didn't have any friends or family around me and the style that Haifa played did not suit my game at all.

"Things are much easier in the Netherlands, I feel more comfortable there. The facilities are much better, the culture far easier to adapt to and the league is of a higher standard. Steve McClaren is my coach and he's very good with me. I think he's going to help make me a better player."

Strength in depth boosts hosts

Strength in depth boosts hosts
(FIFA.com) Monday 5 October 2009
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Only two months ago, Egypt coach Miroslav Soukup was lambasted by the local media for his side's poor performance at a friendly tournament in Korea Republic. Much of the criticism was reserved for his decision to experiment with a host of fringe players so close to a major tournament.

Yet despite losing to their Korean hosts in the Far East, the Young Pharaohs clearly benefited from the experience. A feature of their triumphant march to the knockout phase of the FIFA U-20 Word Cup 2009 has been the ability of squad members to deputise when needed - proof that the vastly experienced Soukup's got his pre-tournament preparations spot-on.

The man who led his native Czech Republic to the finals two years ago in Canada knows only too well that competing for major honours requires a squad with strength in depth, a point clearly illustrated in the hosts' make-or-break final group game against Italy.

Needing to win to guarantee their progress, Egypt went into the tie without a slew of first-choice players. Ahmed Hegazy, Salah Soliman and Mahmoud Toba were injured, Hussam Arafat was suspended and Enppi midfielder Mostafa Galal short of full fitness. Yet for all that, the hosts secured an historic win, thanks in no small part to Hesham Mohamed, who took the man of the match award on his debut, and Ahmed Shoukri and Bogy, who belied their relative inexperience by grabbing the all-important goals.

Paternal influence guides Koman

Paternal influence guides Koman
(FIFA.com) Monday 5 October 2009
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On target in the 2-0 victory over the United Arab Emirates that took his team through to the Round of 16, Hungarian midfielder Vladimir Koman had plenty of reasons to smile after the game. Making his father proud no doubt featured high up the list.

"What a fantastic feeling!" he exclaimed to FIFA.com following the encounter. "We know we're writing football history for our country. No Hungarian U-20 team has ever made it past the first round before. It's really a beautiful moment."

The sensations were doubly intense given the Magyars' calamitous start to the competition, in which they suffered a 3-0 loss to Honduras. Following that blow, the players had to dig extremely deep to bounce back with two consecutive successes.

In Koman's case, the timely revival came via some paternal advice. "I've only got one role model and that's my father," he said. "He's always honest and fair with me. After our opening defeat, he told me straight away that I'd been bad. He was right. It's also for him that I'm proud to have shown another side to myself since then."

Born in Ukraine on 16 March 1989, Koman is one of several players to have followed a footballing father into the game. Volodymyr Koman was a Ukrainian professional during the 1980s but plied his trade in an era before mass-media coverage of the game had permeated every corner of the globe - something his son hopes to make up for.

Surprise, surprise

Surprise, surprise
(FIFA.com) Monday 5 October 2009
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THE DAY REPLAYED - There was a dramatic beginning to the Round of 16 of the FIFA U-20 World Cup Egypt 2009, as Italy and Korea Republic pulled off shock wins against their more-fancied opponents.

Despite dominating for most of their showdown in Cairo, tournament favourites Spain had to bow to the superior finishing of the Italians, while the Asians proved too good for a Paraguay side that failed to live up to the expectations they had generated in the first round.

Results
Spain 1-3 Italy
Paraguay 0-3 Korea Republic
*Click on the links on the right for reports and reaction on both of these games.

Goal of the day
Paraguay 0-3 Korea Republic, Kim Min-Woo 60

Already one goal to the good thanks to Kim Bo Kyung's opener, the Taeguk Warriors underlined their superiority when Kim Min Woo added a second five minutes later. Collecting a pass on the right of the Paraguayan box, the Yonsei University man shaped as if to play a pass out to the other wing before unleashing a fierce drive past startled Albirroja goalkeeper Joel Silva.

Memorable moments
Last-ditch defence: On top for long periods against their old rivals, ten-man Spain were rarely troubled in defence, until their opponents took the lead that is. Suddenly goalkeeper Sergio Asenjo found himself frequently in action, and never more so than when a long ball came sailing over the top of the Spanish defence and into the path of Mattia Mustacchio.

The Atletico Madrid custodian was alert to the danger, however, and came speeding out of the box to improvise an amazing headed clearance fully 30 metres from his line. Sadly for Asenjo and his team-mates his speedy intervention only provided temporary respite.

2002 revisited: With the majority of Cairo's football fans saving themselves for tomorrow's big game between the home favourites and Costa Rica, it was left to a noisy band of around 100 Korea Republic supporters to provide the atmosphere at the Cairo International Stadium.

Having assembled well before the kick-off, the Asian contingent put on quite a spectacle, singing Ludwig van Beethoven's Ode to Joy and moving their bodies up and down in unison. Remarkably, they kept the show going for the whole 90 minutes, bringing back welcome memories of the 2002 FIFA World Cup Korea/Japan™.

The stat
15 - The number of penalties Spain have successfully converted at the FIFA U-20 World Cup finals, making them the most prolific penalty-takers in the history of the tournament. That figure would have been 16 had Aaron Niguez not had his second penalty of the day superbly saved by Vincenzo Fiorillo.

Fan's view
"Everyone knows that this is the Italian style! They play weakly in the group and better in the knockout stage. Spain have a perfect start and then, what happens next is anyone's guess," AsadFelistin (USA) comments on the differing fortunes of Italy and Spain.

Tomorrow's Round of 16 ties
Ghana-South Africa
Egypt-Costa Rica
Hungary-Czech Republic

Have your say
Just how far are tournament revelations Korea Republic capable of going at Egypt 2009? Click on ‘Add your comment' and share your opinion with other football fans from around the world.