FIFA U-20 World Cup: Spot-on Ghana take title

BRA U20 0-0(p) GHA U20

Ghana, on Friday, become the first African nation to be crowned as World Under-20 Champions after a hard-fought win over Brazil on penalties. The ‘Black Satellites’ were forced to play the majority of the game with 10 men after Daniel Addo got sent off in the 37th minute for a rash challenge. Despite this setback, Ghana held firm, and 120 minutes could not seperate the sides. In the ensuing penalty shoot-out, 2 misses from both sides took the battle into sudden death, where Alex Teixera failed to score, allowing Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu the chance to win it for the Africans, a task which he duly obliged to, in the process sending the Ghana fans inside the Cairo International Stadium into raptures.

Earlier on in the day, at the same venue, Hungary overcame Costa Rica in a similar manner, a 0-0 draw won on penalties in the 3rd-Place Playoff. It means that the final standings with regards to the top 4 are as follows:

1. GHANA
2. BRAZIL
3. HUNGARY
4. COSTA RICA

For the post-tournament awards, Ghana’s Dominic Adiyiah took both the Golden Ball (best player), and Golden Shoe (top scorer), with some impressive displays backed up by 8 goals. The Silver and Bronze Balls went to Brazil’s Alex Teixeira and Giuliano, whilst Hungary’s Vladimir Koman (5 goals), and Spain’s Aaron (4) collected the Silver and Bronze Shoes, respectivley. The Golden Glove for best goalkeeper was given to Costa Rica’s Esteban Alvarado, whilst the recipients of the FIFA Fair Play award were the Brazilians.

FIFA Tournament fans will not have to wait long for the next one, as the Under-17 World Cup in Nigeria begins at the weekend. The next Under-20 edition will be staged in Colombia in 2011.