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Brazil versus Spain headlines quarter-finals

Published:Saturday | August 13, 2011 | 12:00 AM
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Brazil's Dudu celebrates after scoring during an Under-20 World Cup round-of-16 match against Saudi Arabia in Barranquilla, Colombia, on Wednesday.
Colombia's Luis Muriel celebrates after scoring during an Under-20 World Cup round-of-16 match against Costa Rica in Bogota, Colombia, on Tuesday.
Nigeria's Emmanuel Anyanwu (right) and England's Callum McManaman in a tussle for possession during their Under-20 World Cup round-of-16 match in Cali, Colombia, on Wednesday.
Spain's Rodrigo talks with reporters at a hotel in Pereira, Colombia, yesterday. Spain will face Brazil in an Under-20 World Cup quarter-final match tomorrow.
From left: Spain's Oriol Romeu, Sergi Roberto, Jordi Amat, Alvaro Vazquez, and at back Spain's coach Julen Lopetegui walk at a hotel in Pereira, Colombia, yesterday. Spain will face Brazil in an Under-20 World Cup quarter-final match tomorrow.- AP photos
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BOGOTA, Colombia (AP): One quarter-final match-up in the Under-20 World Cup is overshadowing the rest: Brazil vs Spain.

This does not do justice to the other quarter-finals, with Nigeria - perhaps the best team so far - against France, host country Colombia against Mexico and six-time champion Argentina facing Portugal. The games will be played today and tomorrow.

Brazil and Spain have the name recognition inherited from their senior teams. Brazil have won the senior World Cup five times - more than anyone else - and Spain are the defending champions. Spain's quick-passing style and possession game are being copied by the U-20 team led by Sergio Canales and Alvaro Vazquez.

"I don't think this should be seen as the final everyone was anticipating because there are other top-quality teams like Colombia, Argentina and Nigeria," Brazil coach Ney Franco said. "But, yes, one of the finalists could come out of this match. We're going against a team with tradition and the defending World Cup champions."

Despite Franco's words, Brazil may have the edge tomorrow, although they have been playing the tournament without top stars Neymar and Lucas, who were with the senior national team in the Copa America last month in Argentina.

The South Americans, looking for their fifth Under-20 title, routed Saudi Arabia 3-0 in their round-of-16 match and have scored 10 goals and allowed just one in four matches. Henrique and Philippe Coutinho have each scored three times.

tough match

Brazil reached the final two years ago, losing to Ghana in Egypt.

Spain, who won the title in 1999, were pushed to the edge in their victory over South Korea, winning 7-6 in a penalty shoot-out after 120 minutes of scoreless football. Vazquez leads with four goals and Canales has two.

"We have stayed faithful to our playing style, and it's been rewarded," Spain goalkeeper Fernando Pacheco said. "We have to think game to game. Every game is like a final and we'll have a very tough match in the quarter-finals."

The winners will face the winners of tomorrow's other quarter-final between Nigeria and France.

Nigeria, who have finished the runners-up twice, are the slight favourites behind an attack that has scored 13 goals. The west Africans are only one of two teams with a perfect record - hosts Colombia are the other. Three players have scored three times: Ahmed Musa, Olarenwaju Kayode and Edafe Egbedi.

France will be trying to advance past the quarter-finals for the first time. The French have come back from a 4-1 opening-match loss against Colombia, perhaps adjusting to playing at altitude in Colombia.

One of today's quarter-finals will attract much of the home nation's attention with Colombia going against Latin American rival Mexico.

The Colombians will play their fifth straight match in Bogota, where the altitude of 2,600 metres (8,600 feet) has undoubtedly been an advantage. But it will not make much difference against Mexico, where many cities are located in high mountain valleys, including Mexico City at an altitude of 2,250 metres (7,400 feet).

Colombia's capital Bogota is awash with street vendors selling yellow, blue and red Colombia shirts, vuvuzelas and other trinkets. The event has been well organised with local politicians touting the country as a potential venue for the senior World Cup.

Colombia are led by Luis Muriel, who has scored four times, and teammate James Rodriguez with three goals. Rodriguez coolly converted the penalty that was the deciding goal in the 3-2 victory over Costa Rica in the round of 16.

"The teams are very even with excellent players," Mexico winger Cesar Ibanez said. "We are going to be watching James (Rodriguez). He is a good passer and we'll be marking him so he does not hurt us with his assists or goals."

Argentina's performances have slipped under the radar. But the six-time champions - they have won five of the last eight titles - cannot be underrated despite scoring only six goals in four matches. Erik Lamela has three - two via penalties - but could be doubtful with a left-ankle injury.

"I'm playing with pain, but I think it will be better with rest," Lamela said.

Portugal have scored only three goals and may have more trouble today. Nelson Oliviera has two of the goals with Mario Rui getting the other. Rui will miss the match after collecting his second yellow card.