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23 April 2018
The Sud Ladies Cup as a big rehearsal
From 5th to 10th June, the most talented young players of the world land in Provence to take part to the first Sud Ladies Cup edition. With four famous teams qualified for the U20 World Cup, organized in August in France, the competition will offer a high level lineup. Two months before the World Cup, French, Germans, Americans and Haitians will have only one goal : win and earn some confidence. What do those teams have to expect about the World Cup ?
France with 2016 still in the memories
The loss remains in the heads. Even two years after. On 2016, U20 France reached the World Cup final after a heroic path. But, still inexperienced, Gilles Eyquem's players were beaten by North Korea. At this day, this is the best run made by France in a World Cup so far. So, it is with some revenge and pride in mind that they will take on the competition in next August. Firstly, to forget 2016. Secondly, to honour their status of hosts of the competition. Placed in the group A with Ghana, New-Zealand and Netherlands, France inherited of an accessible group, close to the one they get on 2016, as they already faced Ghanaians and New Zealanders. A chance for the young French players to start in the perfect way their tournament ?
Germany, to renew with history
Germany, eliminated in quarter final by France on 2016, are determinated. In a country where defeat is hated, this loss was hard to forget. Triple world champions (2004, 2010, 2014), Germans could not swallow they lost their title so early in the competition two years ago. They will start the 2018 U20 World Cup in the group D with China, Nigeria and... Haiti, a team that they will face during the Sud Ladies Cup in Salon-de-Provence. Winners on 2014, finalists on 2012, winners on 2010, they will play the World Cup with the unique aim to renew with their shining history and erase 2016.
United States, six years of waiting
Ending at the fourth spot of a competition, at the foot of the podium, is always frustrating. Even more when you are used to win. Eliminated in semi-final of 2016 U20 World Cup by North Korea, Americans let a spot on the podium slip after they also lost the third place play-off against Japan. A seconde premature elimination in a row, after the defeat in quarter final of the 2014 U20 World Cup against... North Korea. Hard to imagine USA miss their chance a third time consecutively. In the group C with Japan, Paraguay and Spain, the triple world champions (2002, 2008, 2012) hope to clinch a title which gets away from them since six years. And also overtake the German rival on the gobal record.
Haiti, to learn alongside the best
The young Haitians have written the history. Thanks to their qualification for the U20 World Cup, they offered to their country a first participation to this competition, after an outstanding U20 CONCACAF Championship. They beat twice Costa Rica, host country of the competiton, during group round and pushed USA to the penalty shoot-out in semi-final. After winning the third place play-off against Canada, the Caribbeans got their ticket for the World Cup. In the group C with Germany, China and Nigeria, they will have a tough path to qualify for a first time in the competition. But nothing better facing the best to learn and improve. Who knows, a second surprise may be on their way...
Mathieu Lauricella
