Football: Five matches you really don't want to miss

Hayden Meikle identifies five pool games to watch in the Fifa Under-20 World Cup.

 

New Zealand v Ukraine

When: Tomorrow, 1pm.
Where: North Harbour Stadium.
The oil: Well, the opening game has to be on this list.

It will set the tone for the tournament - and, hopefully, the home fans will be singing.

The Junior All Whites have plenty of talent, but we don't yet really know how our youngsters will match up against the world's best.

Ukraine has had a difficult build-up with the country in various stages of conflict, but seems certain to field a team that will be tough to break down.

 

Brazil v Nigeria

When: Monday, 1pm.
Where: New Plymouth.
The oil: Ooh, tasty. Brazil is ... well, it's Brazil.

Those yellow shirts, those silky skills - you know the drill.

The Brazilians have players on the books of Real Madrid and Manchester United.

They also have a kid called Malcom.

Will he play in the middle?

Nigeria has twice been a runner-up at this tournament.

The ''Flying Eagles'' field a bunch of players who won the world under-17 title two years ago.

 

Argentina v Ghana

When: Tuesday, 7pm.
Where: Wellington.
The oil: Another fascinating clash between South America and Africa.

Argentina is an under-20 powerhouse, having won this tournament a record six times.

It produced the Golden Ball winner in both 2005 and 2007.

One was called Lionel Messi and the other was called Sergio Aguero.

Yep.

But don't expect Ghana to be a pushover.

The Africans traditionally do well at youth tournaments with their mix of pace and physicality.

 

Mexico v Uruguay

When: Wednesday, 4pm.
Where: Dunedin.
The oil: I said it when the draw was announced, and I will say it again - Dunedin has the best group in this tournament.

And this is the feature clash of group D, between two neighbours with glorious football histories.

Prepare for speed and skill like you have never seen before at Forsy ... Otago Stadium.

 

Colombia v Portugal

When: June 6, 1pm.
Where: Dunedin.
The oil: The sexiest game in pool play? Let's go ahead and give it that label.

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