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South Africa U20 vs Portugal U20 Prediction & Betting tips
On Friday evening at the U20 World Cup 2019 in Poland in Group F is the last round of the preliminary round. In the stadium Miejski of Bielsko-Biala the offspring of South Africa and Portugal meet. The Portuguese suffered a first setback on Tuesday with a 2-0 defeat by Argentina. After the opening victory against Korea, the reigning U19 European champions can still reach the round of the last 16, but must necessarily win his last group match.
Opponent on Friday is the U20 selection of South Africa. After two defeats in the first two group matches, the South Africans are about to leave the World Cup. Only with a win against Portugal, the boys of coach Thabo Senong still have chances to progress. If you believe before the final group match South Africa vs.. Portugal the odds of bookmakers, but the chances are not really good. Portugal enters the game as a big favorite. The betting base agrees with this assessment and sets in the game South Africa vs.. Portugal even bet on the bet “Portugal wins to zero”.
South Africa:
In 1997, South Africa participated for the first time in a final round of the FIFA U20 World Cup and failed as a group third in the first round. Twelve years later, at the second finals, the Amajita made it to the last sixteen. In the third and so far last tournament participation in 2017 South Africa was in a group with Japan, Uruguay and Italy last. At the 2019 World Cup, the tournament could again be over before the knockout stages.
The South African U20 selection had to run to kick off the World Cup equal to one of the title favorites. After four minutes of play, the team of coach Thabo Senong came into deficit against Argentina. With the first good opportunity, however, South Africa equalized about 20 minutes later. For more than an hour, the outsider could keep up with the South Americans. Then the South Africans slowed down and the Albiceleste put the result to 4: 1 within 15 minutes. With two more goals in the closing stages for each team, South Africa lost 2-5 at the end.
The second matchday was against the Republic of Korea. Especially in the first round South Africa was the better team here, but often failed to goalkeeper Lee Gwangyeon. In the second half South Korea became stronger and scored by Kim Hyunwoo the 1: 0. The South Africans were unable to bring enough pressure to defend their opponents in the closing stages and had to take the second defeat in the second game. Now threatens against the reigning U19 European champion out.
Portugal:
The national team of Portugal was among the bookmakers before the start of the U20 World Cup 2019, the second-hottest contender for the title behind France. With players like Gedson Fernandes (Benfica Lisbon), Diogo Dalot (Manchester United) and Rafael Leao (Lille OSC), the reigning Under-19 European champions have even had some pros from top European clubs in the squad.
Overall, Portugal has participated in eleven of the 21 U20 finals so far. The last World Cup title was won by the Portuguese in 1991. The first success was secured by the then “Golden Generation” in 1989 under coach Carlos Queiroz. In 2011, the Iberians were still vice-world champions. At the last tournament, in 2017 in the Republic of Korea, the Portuguese selection was beaten in the quarterfinals on penalties against Uruguay.
To kick off the finals in 2019, the team of coach Helio Sousa won 1-0 against the Republic of Korea. Striker Trincao, who scored five goals at the U19 European Championship last year, made it 1-0 in the seventh minute. Only in the second round, the South Koreans increased, but gave several good chances to equalize. The Portuguese missed the final decision despite some promising counterattacks and saved the tight work victory over time.
In the second group match met the two-time Portugal titleholder on the seven-time tournament winner Argentina. The record world champion from South America got off to a better start and took the lead before the break. However, Portugal also performed well and proved why they were considered one of the big favorites for the title ahead of the World Cup. However, the boys of Coach Sousa had some good chances. This lack of opportunity utilization was punished shortly before the end with the goal to 2-0 final score for Argentina. Now the Portuguese have to make it clear that they are in the last 16 of the last group match. Because of the towering favorites of the European champion is worthwhile in the game South Africa. Portugal a forecast of the quotas offered on a Portuguese success only very limited.