U20 World Cup / Qualify

It's time for looking forward to the new upcoming U20 World Cup qualify. New U20 coaches, new groups and new adjustments to the game-engine makes the upcoming U20 qualification very interesting.

A new U20 World Cup qualification stands ahead of us. In the upcoming article I will explain my thoughts about the essential thoughts that I am doing about the upcoming U20 period.

As well, come with a brief summary of important things that I learned in my period with Denmark U20 earning the U20 World Cup Gold medal.


WHAT DID I LEARN FROM MY OWN PERIOD EARNING THE U20 GOLD MEDAL?

I have been in charge of many U20 nations during the years. First period with Nigeria U20 and Ireland U20 and 6 periods with Føroyar U20. So my experience around U20 national teams is huge.

I have qualified Føroyar U20 to the U20 World Cup 3 times, and Ireland U20 once. Also, Nigeria U20 was only one win away from WC.

But my biggest challenge before taking over Denmark U20 was getting from Round II. to Round III. A difficult waterfall I knew I had to get through to reach the next chapter in my journey for a big result with my homecountry.
And it was more than I have dreamed. In fact, we ended up with the shiny gold medals on our chest. :D

This trip with Denmark U20 in the previous U20 World Cup gave me a knowledge of the U20 World Cup, which I had never previously been a part of.

Along the way in a total of 25 matches (14 qualifying matches, 11 U20 World Cup matches) Denmark U20 played 5 * MOTS. Normally this would be to many MOTS to be considered a long term runner for gold.

Nevertheless, we've somehow found a way to make the gold medal possible.

Here are my five MOTS matches:

★ Qualify Round 14: 2-3 victory against Suomi U20 (had to win!)
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★ Round II game 3: 3-2 victory against Kenya U20 (had to win!)
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★ Round III. game 3: 5-2 victory against Türkiye U20 (should use a draw with two levels less TS!)
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★ Semifinals: 0-0 in Ordinary game and 5-3 on penalty against Switzerland U20. Defending U20 World Cup champions.
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★ Final: 1-0 victory against Belarus U20
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My advice will be always to go 100% after qualification. If it requires 1 or 2 MOTS on the way - then don't hesitate to use them!

From the qualify to Round II there are so many regulations of TS that the differences between taking minimum or maximum is under 1 level.

You never know which team you will meet in the next draw, so if you are under pressure it's better to use TS, then to calculate on a "lucky" win trying to get over with a bit more TS.

But the longer you get the more important TS becomes. I would recommend to use TS (MOTS) for the last time in Round II. game 3. From there the match-schedule gets close, and your TS will not be able to regulates as fast halfway towards lvl. 4 TS anymore.

The reason why I anyway choose to use MOTS after Round II was because of our situation. Chinese Taipei U20 used a MOTS against us in Round III and won against us. So I had to be able to get a result against Türkiye U20.
I've got the needed result (5-2 win - what a game!), but went to Round IV with only lvl. 3 TS. :/

But here I was so very lucky to draw Palestina U20 (lvl. 3 TS) and Oceanien U20 (lvl. 5). But also Belarus U20 with (lvl. 8).

In the other group three other teams have lvl. 8 TS (Deutschland U20, Schweiz U20 and Romania U20). If I had draw just one of these teams instead of Palestina U20 or Oceanien U20 it would perhaps had been a different story...?

I managed to get through to the semifinale with 3 * PIC and lvl. 7 TS to the semifinals. Here I should meet defending champions Switzerland U20 with lvl. 10 TS. I went again for a MOTS and possesion - and won on penalty (WOW).

In the final should Denmark U20 up against Belarus U20 again. They had used a lot of TS to get to the final since our last meeting three matches ago (2 * MOTS). So I was small favourite - and won 1-0 - in MOTS again!

Overall 5 * MOTS during the entire U20 campaign. I don't think any other U20 manager have ever manage to win a U20 World Cup in 5 * MOTS! And I also wouldn't recommend in general to use this plan.

But my message to this campaigns U20 coaches is: "Don't ever be to afraid of using TS". Especially not in the early stages. Because you never know how much TS your future opponent have also used ".


WHAT SHALL WE THINK ABOUT THE NEW GAME ENGINE CONCERNING NT/U20?

The short answer is: "Not that much yet". I think we shall wait a couple of seasons to see which true impact this change will have.

At this point I think the impact will be much bigger for the NT than to U20. But again that's just some individual thinking.

The new instructions of specialities will of course make it more important to have the right speciality on each important position.

I'm a manager who recommend speciality over a bit extra mainskill/sideskill = ratings contribution, but it's always a selective estimate in relation to your future opponent. Judged in a bigger "picture"/schedule.

I think the quick defenders will be important to shot down quick attacks in the future. The HEAD speciality is by far the most important today! I think this will still be the case in a couple of seasons, but maybe the percentages (%) of the importance of the different specialties are moving a bit. We will see...

Personally I'm also looking forward to see how the new type of player PDIM (defending midfielder + [POWERFUL] speciality) will look like. Which impact can this type of player give for a defensive thinking small U20 country? And how should this type of player be trained best possible towards U20 ratings?

Many unanswered questions which I hope to be more clear about in the near future.


WHICH U20 NATION SHOULD WE KEEP AN EYE ON THIS TIME?

It's early and always a difficult questions to predict this early. But I will try anyway with a handfull of U20 nations for which I predict a nice run or interesting to follow:

★ Romania U20:
In Romanian_Cracka (1063364) Romania U20 got their experienced U20 coach re-elected. He was very close on getting away with at least a medal at the last U20 World Cup, but was knocked out in round IV by Deutschland U20 and Switzerland U20.

Romania U20 had a fantastic qualification and in general campaign last U20 World Cup, but didn't have the last luck at the final stage - when they needed. They will for sure be a team to look after again.


★ Norway U20:
Again a nation that got their experienced U20 coach re-elected: Abooo (1070083).

Actually Norway U20 won Qualification Group 14 last U20 qualify ahead of my Denmark U20. I know they are competitive again and having Abooo in charge of them brings continuity to the team and the community.


★ Netherland U20:
I know Netherland has had challenges with their scouting-system in some season. The results have also suffered in some periods now.

Now they have introduced a very exciting name as a new U20 coach. Legendary HPE-regia5 (235798). If Netherland U20 shall get back on track then this is a manager who will be able to do it.

Being in a very interesting qualification group against Italy U20 and Česká republika U20 gonna be exciting to witness.


★ Brazil U20:
HPE-regia5 have won both NT and U20 World Cup. Only two managers have ever done this. The other one is the dutch manager Schumi- (366050).

Schumi- is now the new U20 coach of Brazil U20. A very interesting combination. HT Brazil have around 4000 active users, but neither Brazil NT or U20 have never won a medal. Can Schumi- change this?

Being in one of the toughest U20 Qualifying groups it will be difficult. Facing defending U20 champions Denmark U20, Sweden U20 - who looks perhaps even stronger then Denmark U20 at the moment + a golden generation from Thailand U20.


España U20:
I actually don't have that much knowledge about the spanish community. Despite being a IRL big time F.C. Barcelona fan. ;)

They have put a former U20 scout in charge of their U20 national team in mza15 (117832). Letting a former scout take the control use to be a good combination and makes the transition easier for all parts around the team.

Spain U20 have had impressive 11 different U20 coaches in the last 11 period. Must be an unofficial world record - LOL?

Spain U20 didn't qualify last time. So I expect them to have prepared this new generation in the best possible way. Look out for them.

Other teams to mention:
Sweden U20, Denmark U20, Schweiz U20, Deutschland U20, Argentina U20, Italy U20, Türkiye U20, Uruguay U20 Belgium U20 and Belarus U20.

I wouldn't be surprised to see the next U20 World Cup Winner among one of these 15 mentioned U20 nations.

PS. Have fun following the upcoming U20 World Cup qualification!

Edit: Personally, I hold a little "hatrickbreak", as my wife is one month from the delivery of our child number 2 (24. febraury - if everything goes after the plan). Don't know how long this hattrickbreak will be. I already have a bit withdrawal - LOL :D


Cheers,
☆ Saftevand (former U20 World Cup winner with Denmark U20)

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