What do Diego Maradona, Robert Prosinečki and Lionel Messi have in common? The answer: they all won the player of the tournament award at the FIFA Under-20 World Cup, and the name of Ghanaian hotshot Dominic Adiyiah can now be added to that list.
The lively striker, who currently plies his trade in Norway with Fredrikstad FK, helped his country to the final against Brazil with eight goals in four games. He could not add to his tally in the final - which ended goalless - but the Ghanaians prevailed on penalties to usurp the pre-tournament favourites in Egypt, despite being reduced to ten-men after just 37 minutes.
In the group stage Ghana overcame a tepid England scoring four goals without reply - Adiyiah scoring twice. He also scored a goal in each match against Uzbekistan and South Africa. The frontman then helped himself to braces against the Korean Republic in the quarter-final and Hungary in the semi-final.
Speaking to FIFA.com, Adiyiah said of his achievement: “I'm not going to rest on it, I'm not going to sleep beside the medals or the awards. This is a challenge for me, so I have to work hard. I'm following in the footsteps of the likes of [Lionel] Messi, [Javier] Saviola and [Sergio] Aguero and I want to emulate their careers - and I'll work hard to do that. I'm preparing to get to the top.”
Adiyiah’s goals will not have gone unnoticed, particularly given they were scored wearing fluorescent yellow boots. But it is not the footwear that makes the Accra-born player so deadly. His movement and partnership with Ransford Osei in attack caused a host of problems for even the hardiest defences in the competition. The duo have pace and strength in abundance and their understanding is reminiscent of players who have spent years playing together.
Osei himself shot to fame scoring seven goals in five games during the 2009 African Under-20 Championships, which they won, beating Cameroon in the final with two goals from the eighteen year-old Osei.
Osei is currently on loan with Dutch Eredivisie side FC Twente from Israeli side Maccabi Haifa, while Adiyiah’s performances will have a number of clubs monitoring his progress in the Norweigan league, which has seen the likes of Chelsea’s John Obi Mikel and Hull City’s Seyi Olofinjana forge a name for themselves in the past.
Adiyiah, 20, made the move to Norway in 2008 after some impressive performances for Heart of Lions in his home country, which he had joined from the Feyenoord academy in Ghana. Although Adiyiah has not scored in his eight games for the Oslo-based side, his performances in Egypt will give fans optimism that they finally have an adequate replacement for former star player Tarik Elyounoussi who has moved to Heerenveen.
Winning the tournament, the Adidas Golden Ball and the Adidas Golden Shoe awards was “a dream come true” according to Adiyiah, who told the FIFA website: “I'm really happy. Glory be to God for giving us a great tournament! I think it was a marvelous tournament and it is one of the greatest moments in my life for having the Golden Shoe and the Golden Ball together with a Gold Medal. I thank my coach very much because he has been there for me, and all my colleagues for helping me to get to this great moment.
Adiyiah was not the only player to make a name for himself at the tournament. He won the player of the tournament accolade (Adidas Golden Ball) ahead of Brazilian stars, Alex Texeira and Giuliano, which is no mean feat given the samba stars performances throughout.
Vasco de Gama reportedly turned down a bid from Manchester United and Everton for Texeira but it will surely not be long before the winger makes the move to one of Europe’s top clubs.
Similarly to Kaka, his close control, strength and dribbling ability make him incredibly hard to knock off the ball, and he has an end product to his play that many at his age lack. The 20 year-old linked well with Brazil captain Giuliano who kept play simple making sure the ball continued moving. The number ten is similar in style to new Juventus signing Diego, always looking to score as well as create goals from an advanced midfield role.
Victory for the Black Satellites follows hot on the heels of Ghana’s qualification for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. It will be the first time the tournament has been held on the continent and there will arguably be the strongest African challenge ever to grace the competition.
The Ivory Coast have long been admired on the world stage, with the likes of Didier Drogba, Kolo and Yaya Toure and Saloman Kalou in their ranks, but Ghana should also not be underestimated.
A midfield including Michael Essien, Sulley Muntari and Stephen Appiah is arguably the best in Africa and Ghana have a solid defence with the likes of John Mensah and John Pantsil. Their attack does on the face of it, however, seem lightweight.
Junior Agogo – who has scored four goals in qualifying - has emerged as their best hope, however the 30 year-old, who has spent much of his career in England’s lower leagues, may struggle against the world class defenders he will face in the World Cup.
Asamoah Gyan led the line at the previous World Cup and he remains another option, but they do not have a talismanic figure such as the Ivory Coast’s Drogba, Cameroon’s Samuel Eto’o or Togo’s Emmanuel Adebayor.
Abedi Pele is still revered in Ghana as their all-time striking legend and his son was part of the victorious Under-20 side. Andre ‘Dede’ Ayew who captained the side from midfield was, however, outshone by Adiyiah, arguably the heir to Pele’s striking throne.
With the Under-20 African Championships and World Cup in their pocket Milan Rajovic, the Ghana head coach, may be looking to recruit a few members of the victorious under-20 squad to the senior squad in the next few months. On current form Ransford Osei and Dominic Adiyiah would seem worthy of the chance to show their ability.
Monday 26 October 2009
Thursday 24 September 2009
Under-20 World Cup set for kick-off
Tonight sees Trinidad and Tobago take on hosts Egypt in the first match of the 2009 Under-20 World Cup.
The tournament, taking place over three weeks, will no doubt provide thrills, spills and an ubundance of excitement as the next superstars are put through their paces.
Some players are already household names in their own countries, but this tournament will provide them with a chance to showcase their talents on the world stage, and many will be hoping to impress the watching scouts of the world's top clubs who will no doubt be avidly scribbling down the names of any impressive performers.
The tournament has helped to propel the likes of Thierry Henry, Luis Figo, Davor Suker, Ronaldinho and Lionel Messi in recent years, and looking further back, Diego Maradona and Enzo Francescoli also took part.
The tournament includes 24 teams with most of the usual suspects expected to fight it out for the prize, there are however, some notable absentees.
South American heavyweights Brazil, Uruguay and Paraguay will all take part but record six-time winners Argentina failed to qualify, a fate many will not wish to reoccur at the senior World Cup next summer in South Africa.
European stalwarts Germany, Italy, Spain and England have all travelled to Egypt but there was no place for Portugal or France, who also failed to qualify.
There are some surprise inclusions with Tahiti, Uzbekistan and the United Arab Emirates all making it through to their first tournaments at this level.
Uruguay's pacey playmaker, Jonathan Urretaviscaya will be one to look out for. Great things are expected of the Benfica man, who turned down a number of Europe's top clubs to sign for the Lisbon side.
Also based in Portugal is Nigeria's Rabiu Ibrahim who has been likened to fellow playmaker and Nigerian legend, Jay-Jay Okocha, big things are expected of the Sporting Lisbon youngster.
Douglas Costa has been attracting interest from some of Europe's top clubs, and he will be seen as the man to take Brazil all the way to the final. Hi skill and pace have drawn comparisons with Ronaldinho, however he is already going some way to stamping his own name on the game.
Sergio Asenjo will need to be on top form if Spain are to add to their solitary title at this level. His experience in the Spain goal, having taken over the gloves at Atletico Madrid this season, will prove invaluable as the tournament progresses. With much of the victorious Under-17 squad now in the current Under-20 squad Spain will be waiting expectantly.
Germany coach Horst Hrubesch, meanwhile, will look to add to this title to the European Under-21 crown he won earlier in the summer.
The teams are split into six groups with the top two progressing to the knockout stage.
Group A includes hosts Egypt, Trinidad & Tobago, Paraguay and Italy.
Group B will see matches between Nigeria, Venezuela, Spain and surprise-package Tahiti.
Group C is made up of USA, Germany, Cameroon and Korea Republic
Group D includes Ghana, Uzbekistan, England and Uruguay
Group E pits Brazil against Costa Rica, Czech Republic and Australia
Group F includes United Arab Emirates, South Africa, Honduras and Hungary.
The tournament will take place in the cities of Alexandria, Cairo, Ismailia, Suez and Port Said, with the final being played in Cairo on 16th October.
The tournament, taking place over three weeks, will no doubt provide thrills, spills and an ubundance of excitement as the next superstars are put through their paces.
Some players are already household names in their own countries, but this tournament will provide them with a chance to showcase their talents on the world stage, and many will be hoping to impress the watching scouts of the world's top clubs who will no doubt be avidly scribbling down the names of any impressive performers.
The tournament has helped to propel the likes of Thierry Henry, Luis Figo, Davor Suker, Ronaldinho and Lionel Messi in recent years, and looking further back, Diego Maradona and Enzo Francescoli also took part.
The tournament includes 24 teams with most of the usual suspects expected to fight it out for the prize, there are however, some notable absentees.
South American heavyweights Brazil, Uruguay and Paraguay will all take part but record six-time winners Argentina failed to qualify, a fate many will not wish to reoccur at the senior World Cup next summer in South Africa.
European stalwarts Germany, Italy, Spain and England have all travelled to Egypt but there was no place for Portugal or France, who also failed to qualify.
There are some surprise inclusions with Tahiti, Uzbekistan and the United Arab Emirates all making it through to their first tournaments at this level.
Uruguay's pacey playmaker, Jonathan Urretaviscaya will be one to look out for. Great things are expected of the Benfica man, who turned down a number of Europe's top clubs to sign for the Lisbon side.
Also based in Portugal is Nigeria's Rabiu Ibrahim who has been likened to fellow playmaker and Nigerian legend, Jay-Jay Okocha, big things are expected of the Sporting Lisbon youngster.
Douglas Costa has been attracting interest from some of Europe's top clubs, and he will be seen as the man to take Brazil all the way to the final. Hi skill and pace have drawn comparisons with Ronaldinho, however he is already going some way to stamping his own name on the game.
Sergio Asenjo will need to be on top form if Spain are to add to their solitary title at this level. His experience in the Spain goal, having taken over the gloves at Atletico Madrid this season, will prove invaluable as the tournament progresses. With much of the victorious Under-17 squad now in the current Under-20 squad Spain will be waiting expectantly.
Germany coach Horst Hrubesch, meanwhile, will look to add to this title to the European Under-21 crown he won earlier in the summer.
The teams are split into six groups with the top two progressing to the knockout stage.
Group A includes hosts Egypt, Trinidad & Tobago, Paraguay and Italy.
Group B will see matches between Nigeria, Venezuela, Spain and surprise-package Tahiti.
Group C is made up of USA, Germany, Cameroon and Korea Republic
Group D includes Ghana, Uzbekistan, England and Uruguay
Group E pits Brazil against Costa Rica, Czech Republic and Australia
Group F includes United Arab Emirates, South Africa, Honduras and Hungary.
The tournament will take place in the cities of Alexandria, Cairo, Ismailia, Suez and Port Said, with the final being played in Cairo on 16th October.
Redknapp rules out Sol move
Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp has ruled-out a move for former Tottenham captain Sol Campbell despite mounting injury problems.
Campbell left big-spending Notts County on Tuesday after just one game for the Magpies leading to rumours that he may be about to sign for a Premiership team.
Campbell left Tottenham under a cloud in 2001 when he signed for arch-rivals Arsenal on a free transfer. He was roundly derided by the Tottenham faithful in North-London derbies and labelled by some as a Judas figure, something Redknapp believes would make it difficult for Campbell to return to White Hart Lane.
In his column in the Sun he said: "I said during the summer that, if I was the boss of any other Premier League club, I'd sign Sol like a shot.
"That statement still applies today. But there is no way in the world Sol is ever going to play for Spurs again.
"There is simply too much bad feeling towards him from the fans at White Hart Lane.
"It would be too much hassle for him, for me and the club. Anyway, I couldn't sign him even if I wanted to because of the regulations.
"Sol is now a free agent but Premier League clubs can't sign any players unless they were out of contract in the transfer window."
Tottenham have first choice centre-backs Ledley King and Jonahtan Woodgate out injured, while back-up, Michael Dawson is also out. Redknapp recruited Sebastian Bassong from Newcastle during the summer but defensive reinforcements are needed if Tottenham are to continue pushing for a European place.
Campbell left big-spending Notts County on Tuesday after just one game for the Magpies leading to rumours that he may be about to sign for a Premiership team.
Campbell left Tottenham under a cloud in 2001 when he signed for arch-rivals Arsenal on a free transfer. He was roundly derided by the Tottenham faithful in North-London derbies and labelled by some as a Judas figure, something Redknapp believes would make it difficult for Campbell to return to White Hart Lane.
In his column in the Sun he said: "I said during the summer that, if I was the boss of any other Premier League club, I'd sign Sol like a shot.
"That statement still applies today. But there is no way in the world Sol is ever going to play for Spurs again.
"There is simply too much bad feeling towards him from the fans at White Hart Lane.
"It would be too much hassle for him, for me and the club. Anyway, I couldn't sign him even if I wanted to because of the regulations.
"Sol is now a free agent but Premier League clubs can't sign any players unless they were out of contract in the transfer window."
Tottenham have first choice centre-backs Ledley King and Jonahtan Woodgate out injured, while back-up, Michael Dawson is also out. Redknapp recruited Sebastian Bassong from Newcastle during the summer but defensive reinforcements are needed if Tottenham are to continue pushing for a European place.
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