In an evenly contested Group B at the FIFA U-20 World Cup Colombia 2011, Uruguay and Cameroon both need a win in their final group meeting in Bogota to guarantee a Round of 16 berth without depending on other results. The South Americans would also progress with a third consecutive draw, provided Portugal beat New Zealand in the section’s other match, though La Celeste will surely not want to take that risk.
The match
Uruguay-Cameroon, Bogota, Friday 5 August 17.00 (local time)
The stakes
Though Uruguay were satisfied with a draw against the Portuguese after a below-par display, the same result against the Kiwis in their second game was a painful blow for coach Juan Verzeri and his charges. Despite enjoying the lion’s share of the goalscoring chances, Los Charrúas found themselves trailing and required a 74th-minute equaliser from Adrian Luna who, after missing their opening game through suspension, breathed new life into their attacking play. In Friday’s clash at altitude in Bogota, the Uruguayans must find more spark in front of goal, a failing that dogged them even when finishing runners-up at this year’s South American U-20 Championship.
Facing them are the team currently in bottom place in the group and who have so far been unable to reproduce the form that took them to second place in the CAF African Youth Championship 2011. Short on creativity against both New Zealand and Portugal, Cameroon also contrived to commit glaring defensive errors that fatally undermined their chances. Visibly dejected on their way back to their hotel after the Portugal defeat, the Young Lions’ players openly admitted the need for a big improvement if they are to make the knockout stages.
The stat
50 – The match against New Zealand was Uruguay’s 50th at the finals of FIFA U-20 World Cups, a tally bettered by only Brazil, Argentina, Spain and Australia. They have won 23 of those encounters and scored a total of 68 goals.
The words
Diego Polenta, Uruguay captain: “We deserved to beat New Zealand. We had 18 shots at goal and they only had two or three chances. But our fate’s still in our hands. If we beat Cameroon, which will be extra tough because we’ll be playing at altitude in Bogota, we’ll be in the last 16.”
Franck Ohandza, Cameroon forward: “Of course that wasn’t the result we were hoping for. Portugal were very compact and once we went a man down it became even more difficult. We need to analyse our performances, look at the mistakes we’ve made and try and improve. We need a win, it doesn’t matter how we get it.”
Uruguay left to rue Marinovic brilliance : 1-1 to New Zealand
In a thrilling Group B encounter, New Zealand held Uruguay to a 1-1 draw, with an inspired performance from Kiwi goalkeeper Stefan Marinovic thwarting a strong attacking display from the South Americans in Cali.
In a group starved of goals, it appeared as if Uruguay would be the first to break open the drought as they successively hammered Marinovic’s net throughout the first half. But it was New Zealand, who snatched the lead after the break through Andrew Bevin before Adrian Luna rescued a draw for the Uruguayans.
Uruguay were sparked by the return of Luna, and on 14 minutes, the midfielder showed his first bit of offensive prowess. The No7 beat Nick Branch to a chipped ball from Matias Vecino, but his proceeding shot lacked power.
La Celeste were knocking on the door, and were narrowly denied again after a long-range throw-in from Leandro Cabrera. Cesar Texeira flicked the throw-in on to Angel Cayetano at the far post, but Marinovic quickly denied the No5.
The keeper was becoming a thorn in the Uruguayans’ sides. From the left flank, Luna served in a free-kick into the area, but Cabrera, who was within a whisker of connecting, saw Marinovic punch away the chance. New Zealand rarely had an opportunity, and on 37 minutes Marco Rojas fired a free-kick keeper Salvador Izacho had no trouble handling.
At the other end, Vecino hit a bending cross that deflected off the crossbar directly onto the feet of Cepellini, who found Texeira all alone in the area. Texeira one-timed the chance, but Marinovic pulled off an incredible and unlikely save. And, the Uruguayans would go into the break empty-handed, after an outstanding rising shot from Polenta found its way into New Zealand’s net, only to learn the referee had already whistled for a foul in the area.
New Zealand came out firing in the second half, certainly lifted by their first-half survival. The Kiwis were dangerous on the counter, and to the South Americans shock, took the lead on 57 minutes. With a diving header, Andrew Bevin gave New Zealand hope, after Marco Rojas had done well to cross into the area.
Despite more possession for the Uruguayans, Dakota Lucas gave the South Americans a few more scares. Uruguay finally got the goal they deserved, though, in the 74th minute through playmaker Luna. After a brilliant bit of passing between Texeira and Luna, the No7 snuck a crosswise shot past Marinovic. La Celeste searched for the elusive game-winner, and Luna found Vecino in the box, but the chance was denied by Marinovic's left foot.
Uruguay ultimately had to settle for a share of the spoils, and will be made to work for progression as they face Cameroon in their final group match on 5 August. New Zealand will also be chasing their Round of 16 chance the same day against Portugal.
Cameroonian mix-up gifts Kiwis a point
Cameroon had 61 per cent of the possession and registered 23 shots, but an own-goal ultimately cost them victory over New Zealand in their Group B opener. Christ Mbondi fired the Indomitable Lions ahead on 32 minutes, before Serge Tchaha headed the ball into the wrong net soon afterwards.
The game got off to a slow start, with Kiwi defender Andrew Bevin heading the only chance of the opening exchanges narrowly wide. Cameroon came mightily close to taking the lead on 21 minutes. Yazid Atouba did brilliantly to tee up Franck Ohandza, but the latter's close-range shot was denied by the post.
Martin Ndtoungou's team were not to be denied just past the half-hour mark, though. Ohandza raced into the box and was brought down by New Zealand goalkeeper Stefan Marinovic. Mbondi's resulting spot-kick was saved, but the forward made amends by slotting home the rebound.
A Cameroonian also scored the second goal of the match. He did it, however, at the wrong end. Tchaha attempted to head a long ball back to his keeper, but the ball wrong-footed Jean Efala and dropped into his net.
Cameroon, as they had done in the first half, took control of the game following the restart. Two half-chances ensued, both headers from corners, within the first ten minutes, with Banana Yaya spurning the first and Ohandza the second.
It was one-way traffic and on 73 minutes Ohandza came very close to scoring, but his shot drifted just wide.
Mbondi did superbly to trick two opponents and work his way into the New Zealand box in the closing minutes, but his shot went straight into the arms of Marinovic. It proved the last chance of the game and when the final whistle blew, the players' reactions told the picture: the Kiwis congratulating one another; the Cameroonians sinking miserably on to the turf.
The two teams will return to action in the same venue on Tuesday, when New Zealand take on Uruguay and Cameroon face Portugal.
Portugal, Uruguay finish up goalless
Portugal and Uruguay played out the fifth draw in seven matches at this FIFA U-20 World Cup. Wasteful finishing existing throughout a goalless encounter, which left all four teams on one point in Group B, following Cameroon's 1-1 tie with New Zealand earlier today.
With Uruguay missing the influential Adrian Luna, the first half was largely void of goal-mouth action, with a number of fouls and misplaced passes.
Nelson Oliveira did animate the Portuguese supporters on 31 minutes, teasing his way past two opponents before firing just over the bar.
The second half was a different story. It took just seven minutes for Celeste captain Diego Polenta to unleash a stunning thunderbolt, which crashed back off the post.
The woodwork then denied a delightful free-kick from Oliveria, who should have done better than direct a free header straight at goalkeeper Ichazo moments later.
Portugal No1 Mika then pulled off a superb reflex save to keep out a Ramon Arias header.
Sergio Oliveira received a second yellow card with 11 minutes remaining, but despite being at a numerical disadvantage, the Europeans continued to probe for a goal. They didn't get it, however, leaving the pool wide open.
Portugal edge Cameroon to take ascendency
A lone goal from striker Nelson Oliveira was enough for Portugal to edge an important 1-0 victory over Cameroon and take the lead at the top of the Group B standings as the first team to collect three points after two rounds of matches.
Portugal created numerous goalscoring opportunities but were unable to build upon Oliveira’s 19th minute strike. Nevertheless the win, combined with New Zealand’s 1-1 draw against Uruguay, left Portugal on four points, two clear all three group opponents.
Just on the quarter-hour mark Oliveira showed a sign of his attacking threat with a header that narrowly failed to open the scoring following a cross from Cateano.
Cameroon however failed to thwart the threat of the Benfica man and the Africans, unable to deal with a long ball from defence, could only watch as Oliveira, alone in the penalty area, finished smartly with a lob over the goalkeeper.
Oliveira was at once again on 30 minutes but this time he blasted wide following another good Portuguese team move.
The Europeans spurned a wonderful opportunity to extend their lead five minutes before the interval as Pele received possession in the penalty area only to miscue his effort, with two unmarked team-mates pleading for the ball.
Cameroon commenced the second half with renewed purpose and dominated early possession without creating gilt-edged openings, although Frank Ohandza saw a dangerous effort well blocked.
Portugal nearly caught out their opponents on the counter attack, with Oliveira again at the fore, displaying good skills in dribbling past two defenders only for his shot to be blocked.
Cameroon’s Yazid Atouba then fired from distance with Mika making an impressive stop. However, any hopes of a Cameroon revival ended with a red card for Ghislain Mvom for kicking Caetano.
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