Panama more than held their own against a favoured Argentinian side. Photo / Getty
Panama more than held their own against a favoured Argentinian side. Photo / Getty
Argentina held by Panama
Pre-tournament favourites Argentina have been held to a 2-2 draw by Panama during an entertaining Under-20 World Cup clash in Wellington tonight.
The damp conditions couldn't take away from the enthusiasm of either side as they both attacked throughout the contest.
Argentina were tipped to ease through the pool stages but Panama had other ideas and could have taken the game but striker Carlos Small spurned a golden chance in the 86th minute. A draw was probably a fair outcome given both teams had their moments.
Argentine captain Angel Correa, who stood out on the field as the only player wearing plain black boots, netted the opening goal of the game as he produced a nice finish in the 14th minute.
That goal signalled Argentina had come to play but Panama, known as the Red Tide, got back on level terms when Jhamal Rodriguez put the ball in the top corner from well outside the box.
Panama have a squad that includes five senior internationals and that experience proved useful as they weren't intimidated by their more-fancied opponents.
Argentina had their opportunities in the first spell but they couldn't convert as the sides went to the break at 1-1.
The second half meandered along until Correa completed his brace in the 79th minute, which looked to be the winner, but Panama defender Fidel Escobar had other ideas as his impressive strike earned his side a draw.
Group B, which also includes Austria and Ghana, remains wide open.
United States survive a scare
The United States survived a scare before seeing off minnows Myanmar 2-1 in Whangarei this afternoon, moving to the top of group A.
With New Zealand and Ukraine drawing earlier in the day and Myanmar seriously threatening the highly-rated Americans, the pool could become one of the closest at the tournament.
The US eventually played enough quality football to claim three points but, having taken an early lead, Myanmar provide a much sterner challenge than many anticipated.
Yan Naing Oo's scrambled strike arrived after a period of dominance for the Asian nation, who showed much more enterprise than their opponents in the opening stages.
The Americans soon warmed to their work and were a constant threat at set pieces, equalising from a 17th-minute corner through Maki Tall. The goal seemed to settle any nerves and the US began to forge more opportunities, with striker Rubio Rubin at the centre of everything positive.
Captain Emerson Hyndman was another stand-out and the Fulham midfielder calmly finished off a counter attack to put his side in front on the hour. But Myanmar continued to pose problems and better finishing could have seen them emerge with a share of the spoils.
Group B remains wide open at the under-20 World Cup after Ghana and Austria fought to a 1-1 draw in Wellington tonight.
Given fellow Group B sides Argentina and Panama battled to a 2-2 draw at the same venue earlier in the day, the remaining pool matches will hold noted significance for each side.
Ghana, the only African world champions at under-20 level after they claimed the title in 2009, were anything but at home in the cool Wellington climes.
Both goalkeepers were required to make diving saves during the opening 20 minutes and their bright garb provided some vibrancy in a dreary opening half.
It wasn't due to a lack of effort but the sweeping winds and driving rain didn't inspire free-flowing football.
Austria proved a technically-proficient outfit and they were rewarded for their toil in the 50th minute when Bernd Gschweidl finished from a tight angle with his left foot.
That strike didn't dampen the enthusiasm of the Ghanaian fans who continued to play their drums in the stands in a bid to lift their side.
Ghana nearly found their way back in to the game after a goalmouth scramble following a free kick mid-way through the second spell but Austrian goalkeeper Tino Casali got a hand to the ball to clear it off the line.
Their goal eventually came in dramatic circumstances after Yaw Yeboah was fouled in box and he converted the spot kick in the dying minutes as Ghana salvaged a draw.
