WORDS: Tim VickerySOU
TH
AM
ERIC
AN
U 20(^) STA
RS
MENTIONED IN DISPATCHES
Bolivia’s 17-year-old centre-back Jairo
QUINTERO (Valencia, Spa) is quick, two-
footed and adept at bringing the ball out,
while striker Sebastian MELGAR (Boca
Juniors, Arg) also impressed.
Brazil’s PHELIPE Megiolaro (Gremio)
was the keeper of the tournament in
a very disappointing team. MARCOS
ANTONIO (Estoril, Por) was a constant,
busy presence in midfield, while Igor
GOMES (Sao Paulo) has talent as an
attacking midfielder.
Argentina’s Santiago SOSA (River
Plate) is a central midfielder who was
forced to play at centre-back and has
a fine eye for a pass. Anibal MORENO
(Newell’s Old Boys) was the engine of
the midfield, while Pedro DE LA VEGA
(Lanus) is a fine attacking midfielder.
With his electric pace, Ivan ANGULO
(Envigado) was Colombia’s most potent
attacking weapon and he now joins
Palmeiras in Brazil.
Ecuador goalkeeper Wellington
RAMIREZ (Independiente del Valle) grew
in confidence during the competition,
while Paraguay’s Marcelo NAMANDU
(Cerro Porteno) had a potent shot.
Uruguay’s Nico SCHIAPPACASSE
(Parma, Ita) remains a dangerous force
up front, and Venezuela’s best attacking
moments usually featured Samuel SOSA
(Talleres, Arg), who is a veteran of the
2017 Under-20 World Cup runners-up.
Diego PALACIOS Carlos CUESTA
Age 19 (09.03.99),
defender, Atletico
Nacional & Colombia
Accomplished centre-
back and captain of
a team that conceded
just three goals in nine
games. Displayed good
reading of the game
and timing in the tackle.
Perhaps interpreted his
role too conservatively,
but got forward to score
against Chile.
Age 19 (12.07.99),
defender, Willem II
(Hol, on loan from
SD Aucas) & Ecuador
Left-back who has
a senior cap and was
dangerous in attack.
His ability to cover
the centre-backs was
important defensively,
but he needs to calm
down as he was a
frequent candidate to
pick up yellow cards.
E
cuador were winners
of the 2019 South
American Under-20
Championship and
they – along with
Argentina, Uruguay
and Colombia – will
represent the continent this summer at
the Under-20 World Cup in Poland.