Portugal will look to improve on its inconsistent performance in the U-20 World Cup when ittakes on a resilient Ghana side in the round of 16.
Despite some issues, Portugal enters the match as a clear-cut favorite after winning two of its opening three games. The Europeans took down Nigeria 3-2 in their opener despite blowing a 2-0 lead. The problems were exacerbated when Portugal drew 2-2 against Korea Republic despite holding two different leads. Fortunately, the team found its form in the final game against Cuba and destroyed the Central Americans 5-0.
Despite some defensive lapses, the Portuguese side has found consistency from its striking duo of the highly touted Bruma and lesser known Aladje. The former has scored a tournament-leading five goals while the latter has scored once in every game for Portugal.
"I don't have his skill," said Aladje of his striking partner Bruma in an interview with FIFA.com. "He's small, fast and can do some amazing things with the ball. We haven't been playing for that long together but we already understand each other better, which is good for the team."
Meanwhile Ghana has qualified for the knockout stages after starting its first two matches with losses against France and Spain. In its final game against the United States, the team managed a breath-taking 4-1 victory.
"I think we just needed to let some steam off," Ebenezer Assifuah toldFIFA.com about his team's drubbing of the Americans. "It was a spontaneous bit of fun and it was good for the team. We played well in our first two games and lost them both but we decided we weren't going to give up."
Prediction: Portugal builds off its last win and defeats Ghana 3-0.
Start Time: Kick off starts at 11 AM EST
TV: The match will not be televised in the United States.
Watch the Live Stream on ESPN U. (Link not provided. Information from LiveSoccerTV.com).
Follow Live Score on FIFA.com HERE.
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