The opening games in Groups A and B at the FIFA U-20 World Cup New Zealand 2015 proved to be tight encounters. No fewer than three of the four matches ended all square, with USA the only victors as they edged a narrow win against Myanmar.
Following that defeat, the White Angels will be desperate to get going against Ukraine in the 13.00 kick-off in Whangarei. A little later, Austria and Panama will lock horns in what promises to be a tense affair, with both sides anxious to end long winless sequences at this level. Argentina are then due to tackle Ghana and the hosts will face USA in the final game on a day sure to be packed with suspense. FIFA.com looks ahead to all the action.
Match of the day
New Zealand-USA, Auckland, 2 June 2015, 19h.00 (local time)
More than 25,000 spectators piled into North Harbour Stadium to watch the Junior All Whites kick off their U-20 World Cup campaign against Ukraine on Saturday, and another bumper crowd is expected as the hosts take on the Group A leaders. USA will thus need to cope with the atmosphere as they chase a second consecutive win that would practically guarantee a place in the last eight, but above all they will not want to become the first team to lose to New Zealand in this competition.
The Stars and Stripes will look to Emerson Hyndman and Rubio Rubin to spearhead their bid after the forward duo wreaked havoc against Myanmar, and New Zealand will need to keep the pair quiet. That task will fall in particular to central defenders Sam Brotherton and Adam Mitchell, who performed heroics against Ukraine. Alex Rufer and Clayton Lewis were less convincing up front in that game, but they will be mindful that USA have conceded at least one goal in their last 13 U-20 World Cup matches – a run the hosts will be determined to extend.
The other matches
Elsewhere in Group A, Myanmar will cross paths with Ukraine in Whangarei. Despite being subdued in their first outing against New Zealand, the European side will be favourites to prevail, but they will need to beware their Asian opponents, who impressed against USA and even managed to take the lead before suffering defeat.
Panama have not posted a win in their last 13 U-20 World Cup outings, while Austria have not tasted victory in six – all of which suggests that their meeting in Wellington will be high on entertainment. Whoever comes out on top will take an important step towards the knockout phase after both of Saturday's Group B contests produced draws.
One of those stalemates was the 2-2 result between Argentina and Panama, with La Albiceleste unable to win despite twice taking the lead. The South American giants will therefore need to keep their focus for the full 90 minutes against Ghana, while hoping in-form Angel Correa excels again. In contrast, the Black Stars had to dig deep to salvage a point against Austria and will be anxious to make a stronger start in a match neither side can afford to lose.
Player to watch
His name may be tough to pronounce, but it is one worth remembering after his opening performance in New Zealand. Austria's principal attacking threat against Ghana, Bernd Gschweidl will again be key to his team's prospects when they face Panama on Tuesday, with the European hopefuls eager to end their run of six U-20 World Cup games without victory. Gschweidl's prowess in front of goal could prove critical after he opened his account against Ghana to give Austria their first U-20 World Cup goal in 515 minutes.
The stat
19 – Argentina remain undefeated in a record 19 U-20 World Cup games following their opening draw against Panama.
The words
"Our group is still very open after the first round of matches. Nobody was able to get a win. Our next opponents Argentina represent a big challenge, but I hope we will be able to beat them," Sellas Tetteh, Ghana coach
Match schedule
Group A
New Zealand-USA (Auckland, North Harbour Stadium, 19.00)
Myanmar-Ukraine (Whangarei, Northland Events Centre, 13.00)
Group B
Austria-Panama (Wellington, Wellington Regional Stadium, 16.00)
Argentina-Ghana (Wellington, Wellington Regional Stadium, 19.00)
(all times local)