South American Sub 20 – Stardom Awaits

Impressive, that’s all you can say have after a performance like this. The Under 20 team won South American Sub 20 title in convincing fashion, earning a spot in the FIFA Under 20 World Cup. Making the win that much sweeter was that Argentina shockingly failed to finish in the top four, and thus did not qualify for the Under 20 World Cup. Brazil brought an entirely domestically based team which made this even more impressive. This was Brazil’s 10th South American Sub 20 title.

The story of the tournament was the continued emergence of Walter not to mention quality play from Douglas Costa, Maylson, Dentinho, Sandro and Giuliano. Walter, who plays for Porto Alegre’s Internacional, was arguably the best player in the tournament along with Uruguay’s Abel Hernandez. Going into this tournament Walter along with Douglas Costa were the two most hyped members of the side. Coming off this performance, rumors are bouncing around involving him, Barcelona, and Juventus. For those of you who have not seen him play, he is as physically imposing as Adriano, with better pace and touch on the ball than Adriano may have right now, and certainly when he was a teenager. He clearly is ready to make the jump to Europe. He and Pato are primed to be the next great attacking duo for the Seleção for the next decade.

Douglas Costa has been lauded as the left-footed Ronaldinho. Although he had a solid tournament, it was clear to me that he needs another year or two playing for his club Grêmio before going overseas. He can strike the ball, has good touch, and pace, however physically he is small. I doubt at this moment in his career he would even see the pitch in Europe. The potential is there, and I will keep a close watch on him next season.

Sandro, another Internacional player and defensive midfielder was the other standout performer for Brazil. He was unbreakable, slowing the opposition attack and starting the Brazilian counter. I think he is physically ready to endure the trip overseas and that time should be vastly approaching for him.

Brazil had two losses in this tournament, both at times where they had already clinched final round passage and final round victory. You’ll see below, these two losses were to Uruguay and Paraguay.

Although we still have a World Cup to win in 2010, looking ahead to 2014 in Brazil, we can already say we will have the ability to avenge the 1950 debacle to say the least.

Here were the results:

Round 1

Brazil – Paraguay
1 – 1

Brazil – Bolivia
2 – 1

Chile – Brazil
0 – 2

Uruguay – Brazil
3 – 2

Final Round

Uruguay – Brazil
2 – 3

Brazil – Argentina
2 – 0

Venezuela – Brazil
0 – 3

Colombia – Brazil
1 – 2

Paraguay – Brazil
1 – 0