Argentina’s Under 20s finally looked a competent side in the Sudamericano Sub 20 on Sunday night, as they became the first side in the competition to beat their Brazilian counterparts, and shot themselves right back into contention for a London 2012 Olympic Games qualifying slot. Gabriel ‘don’t call me Rogelio’ Funes Mori opened the scoring from the penalty spot, and Juan Manuel Iturbe got the eventual winner with an absolute cracker. Brazil played a man down from the fifth minute. The highlights are right here.
Argentina have two matches left: on Wedesday against Uruguay, and against Colombia on Saturday. If they win both, they will secure qualification for the Olympic Football Tournament at London 2012 (and, depending on Brazil’s results, will be crowned the continental Under 20 champions). A point will be enough to make completely sure of participation in the Youth World Cup in Colombia later this year.
Sudamericano Sub 20 Peru 2011, final group stage, Sunday 6th February 2011: Argentina 2 – 1 Brazil
A note on Señorito Funes Mori’s name, by the way; it has recently been brought to my attention that, although the Argentine press – notably Olé and La Nación refer to the River Plate striker as Rogelio, the man himself apparently hates that name and prefers to be known by his other given name, Gabriel. I shall henceforth try to remember this.
You can follow the ins and outs during the build up to the 2011 Torneo Clausura, as well Argentina’s performances in the Sudamericano Sub 20, the country’s vast foreign legion and the latest news from the selección during the 2010-2011 season direct from Buenos Aires with HEGS on Twitter. If you’ve not signed up yet you can do so here. You can also join the official HEGS Facebook group, to keep up to date with the latest posts on the blog and discuss things with other fans. You’ll find it here. Also remember to bookmark Hand Of Pod, our home to a brand new Argentine football podcast (or subscribe to it on iTunes here)
Photo taken from ole.clarin.com
Hasta El Gol Siempre 
Red card? Not sure that foul was for red… Brazilian goal: Unstoppable. Second argentine goal: Una joya. :) Vamos!