Kings of U-20 cup are odds-on to make yet another run to the final

Counting down to the Fifa Under20 World Cup, which begins in four days, the Herald looks at how each group stacks up. Today, Steven Holloway gets to grips with Group B.

Teams

Argentina, who have won the U-20 World Cup a record six times, are strong favourites to win the tournament ($4.25) and will play alongside Panama ($18), Ghana ($31) and Austria ($31). Panama were second at the Concacaf U-20 Championships to earn qualification, while Austria were one of six teams to qualify from Europe after losing in the semifinals of their qualification tournament. Ghana qualified after finishing third at the African U-20 Championships.

Favourites

Argentina are kings at U-20 level and they cruised through South American qualifying unbeaten.

Their squad is dominated by players from Argentinian giants River Plate, where striker Giovanni, son of Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone, headlines with five others.

Tiago Casasola (Fulham), Maximiliano Rolon (Barcelona — Spain), Angel Correa (Atletico Madrid) and Emiliano Buendia (Getafe) will also add some firepower.

Underdogs

Austria just squeaked through European qualifying after getting thumped 4-0 in the semifinals by Germany, but showed potential with a 4-2 win over the Junior All Whites in Sunday’s warm-up match.

Star man

Argentina’s Angel Correa arrives as one of the tournaments’ most hyped players. The diminutive forward helped San Lorenzo win the Copa Libertadores, spent six months out due to a heart tumour, recovered, and joined Spanish giants Atletico Madrid.

Correa emphatically underscored his star billing, creating chances at will and netting a breathtaking winner in the title-deciding game against Uruguay. With seldom-seen upperbody strength, devilish trickery and direct dribbling, he has been compared to Carlos Tevez and Sergio Aguero.

Stat

Nineteen of Panama’s squad of 21 play professionally in their country. The two outliers are playing at American Universities.

Did you know

Ghana are the only African side to have won the Under-20 World Cup. The ‘Black Satellites’ beat Brazil on penalties in the 2009 final in Egypt.

Prediction

Argentina will win the group and Panama will qualify second.