Magyarok are through to the Semi-Finals
We did it!!
The Magyar U20 team has made it through to the semi-finals of the U20 World Cup in Egypt after an exciting win against Italy 3-2. Here are the 2 goals by Hungary’s up and coming forward Nemeth, Krisztian. Beautiful passes from Koman and confident finishing from Nemeth.
Though I am a US fan, I am so proud of the Hungarian team. How exciting for little Hungary.
Szep volt fiuk. Meg nem vege, 2 mecs lesz. Hajra Magyarok!
U20 World Cup – Hajra Magyarok!
We are hot and heavy into the soccer season. There is a lot of great ball being played all over the world right now:
1. U20 World Cup in Egypt
For me, I am following both the United States and my beloved Magyars.
USA
Unfortunately, the US got knocked out in the first round with a dismal 1-0-2 record placing 3rd in their group with only 3 points. What a disappointing run.
What went wrong? The Coach says it is the lack of professional development in the United States for the young men. Yet, he fails to mention the United States Youth Academy program that has finished its 2nd season this year. He also fails to mention that USL is a good professional development environment for some young players.
I am going to question the Manager’s tacti cs. He is a Dutchie that has been in this country for quite some time with unsuccessful stints at the Revolution, DC United, and Chivas USA. After his MLS failures, he took over the U20 program.
The tactics? Well, I have yet to see a US Team succeed using a 4-3-3 formation in a game. It is an ambitious and attacking minded system. We just don’t have the talent for that system. It requires players with the ability to hit teammates on the run with long passes. Those teammates in turn need to be able to touch the ball nicely onto the ground. We just don’t have those players.
When possession is a problem for most US Teams, the 4-3-3 does not lend itself to a possession game. So, was the Manager in love with his system, or was he playing to his team’s strength? I think he was in love with his system. Though he got one result out of it, it was against a side that only entered the U20 in its history – Cameroon.
Hungary (Magyarorszag)
The team we are following are considered the golden team of this generation. There has not been this much excitement for Magyar Football since the 1960s. The team is lead by one of the 10 players to watch in the U20 – Krisztian Nemeth. On contract with Liverpool, but currently on loan with AEK Athens, Nemeth is an exceptional player.
The sad thing is he did get a nasty knock on his ankle in game 1 against Honduras. While he has not shown the energy he had when he started, he did provide an important goal to put his team ahead against the United Arab Emeriates.
The rest of the team look completely different from what we all are used to seeing. They don’t seem to be a side that is going to fall apart from adversity. The Honduran result did not relfect the true nature of the team. I will tell anyone to watch the game. The Hondurans played Central American tactics when they got a lead = stalling. The broke up the game every chance they by feigning injury. This did not allow our team to get back into the rythym they were enjoying before the first injury started.
The last 2 games showed the class of the team. They won their group and made it to the round of 16.
Tough game with the Czechs awaited us with our 1st round of 16 in the country’s history. The Czech’s were the runner-ups 4 years ago.
Our Magyar Fiuk opened the scoring from a 35 yard beautiful blast from Mate Kiss. It may be a candidate for goal of the tournament. The Czechs looked a better team for some parts and their persistence paid off as the equalized in the 1st half. Going into the 2nd half, both teams battled it out, but no one could find the advantage over the other. After 90 minutes, the match ended 1-1.
As we are in the knockout rounds, the match had to go into extra-time. 2, 15 minute halfs to continue to see who could get the advantage. The Czechs scored 2 minutes into the 1st overtime. They had some good movement, our central defender slipped and the Czech forward was able to find the space to put one away.
Their lead did not last long. Our boys started to fight back. As luck would have it, Nemeth was fouled on the left side of the 18 yard box. Vladimir Koman, the central midfielder that directs all the traffic stepped up and put a beautiful free kick out of the reach of the Czech goalie. We are now 2-2. The overtime would end with a 2-2. Onto penalty kicks!
Penalty kicks are the worse way to lose. If you win, they are the greatest. I am writing this from work, so I need to get to the point. The Magyar team won on penalties 4-3. Gulacsi (Goolachi) made several saves to help his team and was the hero on the night.
Our team faces an even tougher challenge tomorrow on Friday. They face the mighty Italians who are always tough in a tournament. Let’s keep our fingers cross that they make it to the semi-finals.
Either way, I am happy for our team and happy for little Hungary. Maybe Magyar foci is making its way back up.
Hajra Magyarok!
Next topic – World Cup Qualifying.
