27 February 2019 –South Africa’s National Under-20 (Amajita) side go into this year’s FIFA U-20 World Cup Poland edition with the least number of appearances on the world stage as compared to their Group F opponents.

This global football showpiece will run from 23 May – 15 June 2019.

Amajita have made only three appearances on the world stages as compared to the six-time world champions Argentina, who are sitting on 15 appearances.

Portugal go into this year’s FIFA World Cup tournament after having played in 12 editions before, while Korea Republic are equal on 15 appearances with Argentina.

Both Korea Republic and South Africa are the only sides in Group F who are yet to secure their first ever World Cup title.

Amajita coach Thabo Senong made it very clear after his side had qualified for the FIFA World Cup; that good preparation would see them do well in the tournament, regardless of whom they would be pitted against.

Amajita’s first group match will be against Argentina on 25 May 2019 at the Tychy Stadium.

That fixture will then be followed by an encounter between Amajita and previous U-20 World Cup hosts, Korea Republic, on 28 May at the very same match venue.

Amajita will then travel to Bielsko-Biala for their final group clash against Portugal at the Bielsko-Biala Stadium on 31 May 2019.

All of Amajita’s group fixtures will kick-off at 20h30 (SA time).

AMAJITA’S GROUP F TEAM-BY-TEAM FIFA U-20 WORLD CUP STATS

PORTUGAL

Appearances:12 (First appearance was in the 1979 Japan edition)

Best finish:Runners-up (2011 FIFA U-20 World Cup Colombia edition)

Worst Finish:Group stages (1993 FIFA U-20 World Cup Australia edition)

Titles:Two (1989 FIFA U-20 World Cup Saudi Arabia edition & 1991 FIFA U-20 World Cup Portugal edition)

 

KOREA REPUBLIC

Appearances:15 (First appearance was in the 1979 Japan edition)

Best finish:4^thplace (1983 FIFA U-20 World Cup Mexico edition)

Worst Finish:first round (Seven times: 1979, 1981, 1993, 1997, 1999, 2005, 2007)

Titles:none

 

ARGENTINA

Appearances:15 (First appearance was in the 1979 Japan edition)

Best finish:six time FIFA U-20 World Cup champions (1979 Japan edition, 1995 Qatar edition, Malaysia edition, 2001 Argentina edition, 2005 The Netherlands edition & 2007 Canada edition

Worst Finish:first round 1991 Portugal edition (Two defeats and one draw)

Titles:six

 

SOUTH AFRICA

Appearances:3 (First appearance was in the 1997 Malaysia edition)

Best finish:round of 16 (2009 FIFA U-20 World Cup)

Worst Finish: Group stages (1997 Malaysia edition)

Titles: none

SOURCED FROM THE SAFA WEBSITE.