By Samindra Kunti
February 13 – For the second time in three competitions, Brazil have failed to qualify for the FIFA U20 World Cup to be played in Korea later this year. Meanwhile, the senior team have announced a friendly against Argentina in Melbourne in June.
Brazil’s U20 team finished fifth in the South American U20 competition in Ecuador. South America has only four slots for the World Cup finals, which will be held in South Korea later this year. Brazil failed to qualify following consecutive draws with Argentina and Colombia respectively. Uruguay, Ecuador, Venezuela and Argentina make up the quartet that will represent South America in South Korea in May.
They will join England and eleven other teams from Europe, Asia and Oceania to have already booked their place. The four teams from each of North, Central America and the Caribbean zone and Africa are set to be fought for during February and March, with the draw for the U-20 World Cup set to take place on March 15.
Meanwhile Brazil’s senior team are planning a number of high profile friendlies later this year. The CBF, the Brazilian Football Confederation, announced a prestigious fixture against old foes Argentina to be played on June 9 in Melbourne at the iconic cricket stadium the MCG. The venue has a capacity of 100,000 and is expected to sell out for the all South American encounter.
The MCG has hosted football matches in the past, with Lionel Messi sinking Australia 10 years ago. At the same venue, Liverpool drew a crowd of 95,466 for their friendly against Melbourne Victory in 2013.
Brazil or Argentina may then opt to face the Socceroos as the Australians look to warm up before the Confederations Cup.
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