Preview: Uruguay Under-20s vs. Israel Under-20s - prediction, team news, lineups
:Headline: Preview: Uruguay Under-20s vs. Israel Under-20s - prediction, team news, lineups:
Sports Mole previews Thursday's Under-20 World Cup clash between Uruguay Under-20s and Israel Under-20s, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.
Aiming to reach the Under-20 World Cup final for the third time in their history, Uruguay Under-20s tackle Israel Under-20s in Thursday afternoon's semi-final at Estadio Unico Diego Armando Maradona.
Marcelo Broli's men defeated the United States 1-0 in the quarters to progress to the final four, while Israel stunned Brazil 3-2 to keep their dreams of glory alive.
Match preview
Despite their exemplary defensive exploits during the group stage and last 16, the United States' staunch rearguard was finally breached during their quarter-final with Uruguay, who continued their own streak of solidity to dump the Yanks out of the tournament.
An Anderson Duarte effort in the first half preceded a Joshua Wynder own goal after the break, and the USA - who were working with an extra two days rest - could not claw their way back into the contest, despite dominating the ball with 66% possession on the night.
By overcoming the USA, Uruguay have continued to follow a particular pattern at the Under-20 World Cup, having now reached the semi-finals in 2013, 2017 and 2023 while going out in the last 16 in 2015 and 2019, but they have only progressed from two of their previous six appearances at this stage of the competition.
However, barring a 3-2 defeat to England in the group stage, Uruguay have otherwise claimed four wins with four clean sheets at this year's unpredictable tournament, but with surprises being sprung all over the shop, Broli's men cannot afford to take their opponents lightly.
Having taken the leap to Under-20 level after reaching the final of the Under-19 European Championships last year, Israel were not expected to be pushovers in Argentina, but failure to win any of their first two group games against Colombia or Senegal led to a few doubts creeping in.
However, after scraping through to the knockout rounds by the skin of their teeth, Israel have certainly gone up a gear, keeping Uzbekistan at bay in a 1-0 last-16 win before shocking South American champions Brazil during a thrilling 120 minutes of football on Saturday.
Twice Brazil took the lead through Marcos Leonardo and Matheus Nascimento, and twice they were pegged back by Anan Khalaili and Hamza Shibli, before Dor Turgeman popped up with a 105th-minute winner to break Brazilian hearts, which would have already been beating at an incredibly fast rate when Israel missed two penalties in the second half of extra time.
Thankfully for manager Ofir Haim, those squandered chances did not come back to bite his side, whose first-ever appearance at the Under-20 World Cup will end with a praiseworthy top-four finish.
A clash with Italy or South Korea awaits in the showpiece match, and whichever side falls short on Thursday afternoon will be gifted another shot at a medal in the bronze medal match on June 11 - an accolade which Uruguay have won once in 1979.
Uruguay were missing 10-goal attacker Luciano Rodriguez for their quarter-final win over the USA due to suspension, as the 19-year-old was given a straight red card for violent conduct in their final group game versus Gambia on June 1.
It remains to be seen if Rodriguez's punishment will be extended from the customary one-game ban, and Broli has also been handed a headache in defence after Mateo Ponte suffered an injury in the second half of Sunday's game, although he was forced to stay on as Uruguay had already made all five of their changes.
There are concerns that Ponte's injury - which is feared to be a muscular tear - could keep him out of Uruguay's final two games, so a recall for Mathias de Ritis may be in order.
As for Israel, striker Turgeman was brought off injured not long after his stunning solo winner in the quarter-finals, but the 19-year-old may very well have just been feeling the effects of a gruelling battle, and there is nothing to suggest he will not be available here.
As a result, Haim could crucially have a fully-fit squad at his disposal, and he should consider an alteration in attack after Ariel Lugassy once again lasted just 45 minutes of the win over Brazil, with Shibli putting his name into the hat for a starting role after scoring his side's second at the weekend.
Uruguay Under-20s possible starting lineup: R. Rodriguez; De Ritis, Boselli, Facundo Gonzalez, Matturro; Sosa, Diaz; Chagas, Franco Gonzalez, L. Rodriguez; Duarte
Israel Under-20s possible starting lineup: Tzarfati; Feingold, Lemkin, Israelov, Revivo; Madmon, Nawi; Khalaili, Abed, Shibli; Turgeman
We say: Uruguay Under-20s 2-1 Israel Under-20s
Underestimating Israel against Brazil was a fatal mistake, and with the European runners-up scoring in all of their World Cup games so far, another upset is not beyond the realm of possibility.
Uruguay could have also done without a fresh injury concern at the back, but Broli's men have history on their side - as well as a formula for defensive success - and Israel's magical run may finally be brought to an end.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
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