The countdown is about to end. The National Under-20 team is ready to take the field for the World Cup semifinal. A press conference was held late this morning in Argentina to present the two challenges that will be played on Thursday at the 'Diego Armando Maradona' stadium in La Plata. Uruguay and Israel will open the programme at 2.30 p.m. local time (when it will be 7.30 p.m. in Italy) then, at 23:00 CEST, it will be the Azzurrini's turn, opposing South Korea in a match that will be broadcast live on Rai 2. "At this point," said coach Carmine Nunziata, "any opponent would be strong. In addition, this is a knock-out match, inside or outside, the last obstacle separating us from the final of this World Cup, which has been exciting so far. However, we are talking about four teams, all of high level, who deserved to get here.

Italy's journey so far has only had one stumble, with Nigeria (eliminated in the quarters by South Korea), who defeated the Azzurrini (2-0) in the group stage. Nunziata's boys were coming off a victory in the first match against Brazil (3-2) and, probably, suffered a drop in concentration and paid the price for fatigue, immediately regaining the energy necessary to defeat the Dominican Republic (3-0) in the third and final match of the group stage. In the round of 16 came the success (2-1) over the European champions England, before another masterpiece, the one in the quarters against Colombia, with the 3-1 victory signed by Casadei, Baldanzi and Esposito that propelled Italy towards the third consecutive world semi-final at Under-20 level. "One of the problems, but it is for everyone," warned the Azzurro coach, "is precisely this: we play every three days and the physical commitment is important. The condition is essential to get the better of the opponents and plays a fundamental role in the economy of each match'. Not to be outdone was South Korea who, in their journey, has not known defeat: three victories and two draws, having been the protagonist of group F of the first phase where it beat France in its debut match.

His coach, Eun Joong Kim, explained in a press conference: 'Italy is very strong in attack and we will defend,' foreshadowing what will be his tactics for this World Cup, which will involve the use of a defence that goes as high as five out of possession, with quick counters to strike at the right moment. 'It's an orderly team on the pitch,' adds Nunziata, 'every player diligently performs his task. They rarely disband, they keep the right distances between the departments and they are very fast. A team that has shown its worth throughout the event, beating the French giant 2-1 in its group, then drawing with Honduras (2-2) and Gambia (0-0). It then advanced to the round of 16 by beating Ecuador (3-2) and the quarters by beating Nigeria (1-0). In the Asian Cup last June, South Korea finished behind China. Carmine Nunziata has the whole squad at his disposal: there are no cautions because the yellow cards were cancelled after the quarter-finals.

Results and schedule
 
QUARTER-FINALS (3 June)

Israel 3-2 Brazil
Colombia 1-3 ITALY

QUARTER-FINALS (4 June)

USA 0-2 Uruguay
South Korea 1-0 Nigeria

SEMI-FINALS (8 June)

Uruguay vs. Israel (19:30 CEST)
ITALY vs. South Korea (23:00 CEST) live on Rai 2

FINALS: 11 June 

Squad list

Goalkeepers: Sebastiano Desplanches (Trento); Jacopo Sassi (Giugliano Calcio), Gioele Zacchi (Sassuolo);
Defenders: Filippo Fiumanò (Aquila Montevarchi); Alessandro Fontanarosa (Inter), Daniele Ghilardi (Mantova), Samuel Giovane (Ascoli), Gabriele Guarino (Empoli), Riccardo Turicchia (Juventus), Mattia Zanotti (Inter);
Midfielders: Tommaso Baldanzi (Empoli), Cesare Casadei (Reading F.C.), Duccio Degli Innocenti (Empoli), Giacomo Faticanti (Roma), Luca Lipani (Genoa), Niccolò Pisilli (Roma), Matteo Prati (SPAL);
Attackers: Giuseppe Ambrosino Di Bruttopilo (Cittadella), Francesco Pio Esposito (Inter), Daniele Montevago (Sampdoria), Simone Pafundi (Udinese).

Staff - Delegation Head: Marcello Nicchi; National Youth Team Coordinator: Maurizio Viscidi; Head Coach: Carmine Nunziata; Assistant Coach: Emanuele Filippini; Fitness Coach: Vito Azzone; Goalkeeping Coach: Fabrizio Ferron; Match Analyst: Marco Mannucci; Scout: Claudio Coppi; Doctors: Carmelo Papotto and Lorenzo Ticca; Physiotherapists: Giuseppe Galli and Tommaso Cannata; Nutritionist: Alessio Colli; Accompanying Director: Gianfranco Serioli; Secretary: Aldo Blessich; Press Office: Giuseppe Ingrati; Administration: Francesco Casella; Club Italia: Matteo Galdelli; Logistics: Carlo Fanano.

History

(number of Under-20 World Cups won)

Argentina (six), Brazil (five), Portugal (two), Serbia (two), Ghana (one) Spain (one), Russia (one), Germany (one), England (one), France (one), Ukraine (one, current champions).