Ecuador U20 vs Korea Republic U20 - South American attack to shine in Lublin

Eddy Tora

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Last updated: 11 Jun 2019

Eddy Tora 11 Jun 2019

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Ecuador are tipped to advance to the U20 World Cup Final

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Ecuador qualified for the FIFA U20 World Cup after winning the U20 South American Championship (Getty Images)

Ecuador U20 vs Korea Republic U20 Preview, Predictions & Betting Tips

Ecuador have a number of influential attackers than can help them beat Korea Republic in the FIFA U20 World Cup semi-finals in Lublin. The South American champions have enough quality to get through and are tipped to win the match at 2.00.

Ecuador U20 Form & Team News

Ecuador’s U20 World Cup campaign began with an unlucky 1-1 draw against Japan. The South American U20 champions then found themselves 1-0 down against Italy in Bydgoszcz with central defender Jackson Porozo sent off in the 41st minute.

Jorge Célico’s side missed a penalty and were unable to find an equaliser despite playing well with 10 men. Ecuador reached the knockout rounds with a 1-0 win against Mexico to set up a round of 16 match against Uruguay in Lublin.

Uruguay took an early lead but Ecuador turned it around and eventually cruised to a 3-1 win. Alexander Alvarado equalised from the penalty spot, Sergio Quintero made it 2-1 and Gonzalo Plata’s penalty ensured a place in the quarter-finals against USA.

Jose Cifuentes opened the scoring with a long range rocket, La Tricolor retaking the lead after USA equalised through Jhon Espinoza just before the break. It was a deserved win after Ecuador had hit the post twice and showed more enterprise in attack.

Ecuador U20 have a number of talented attackers and can be backed at 2.00 to beat Korea Republic U20. I think they can get it done in Gdynia and advance to the final.

Korea Republic U20 Form & Team News

Korea Republic lost their opening match at the U20 World Cup with a 1-0 defeat against Portugal. They rebounded with a 1-0 win against South Africa in Tychy with Kim Hyunwoo scoring the winner.

The Taeguk Warriors needed a result against Argentina and won 2-1 with goals to Oh Sehun and Young-Wook. The former South Korea then took on Asian rivals Japan in the last 16 and advanced after a late Oh Sehun winner secured a 1-0 win.

Jeong-yong Jung’s side faced Senegal in the quarter-finals and got through on penalties in a thrilling match in Bielsko-Biala. Lee Kangin equalised from the penalty spot in the 62nd minute but his team conceded a penalty of their own and looked dead and buried with time running out.

Jisol Lee headed home a corner eight minutes into stoppage time to take the match to extra time. Korea Republic then took the lead through Cho Youngwook but condeded an equaliser in the final seconds of extra time.

Korea Republic missed their first two penalties but battled back to reach the semi-finals. Lee Kangin was inspirational, scoring the first goal and assisting the other two and will be a player to watch against Ecuador.

Korea Republic can be backed to beat Ecuador at 4.20, they have been hard to beat at the U20 World Cup and a draw is priced at 3.50.

Ecuador U20 vs Korea Republic U20 Head to Head

Ecuador U20 vs Korea Republic U20 met once in a 2017 friendly with Ecuador winning 2-0.

Ecuador U20 vs Korea Republic U20 Match Up

Ecuador’s attack is one of their strengths with Jordan Rezabala, Alexander Alvarado and Gonzalo Plata supporting striker Leonardo Campana. They can make the difference in Lublin.

Korea Republic employ a defensive style of football and hope to score a goal from a set piece or counter attack. That approach might come back to haunt them against Ecuador.

Ecuador U20 vs Korea Republic U20 Key Statistics

Ecuador U20 have won 11 of their last 16 matches (all competitions).
Korea Republic U20 have lost 5 of their last 9 matches (all competitions).

Verdict

I think Ecuador are playing better football and have a much better attack than Korea Republic. I am backing the South American champions to reach the U20 World Cup final at 2.00.

Best Bet: Ecuador U20 Win @ 2.00 at bet365 - 4 Units