Group E (Ottawa, Montreal)
Argentina, Czech Republic, North Korea and Panama

Argentina arrives as reigning champions and with four world championships and one fourth place finish in the last six tournaments. Hugo Tocalli has been in integral part of Argentina’s success, first as the 2IC to Jose Peckerman and now as the head man.

Argentina finished second to Brazil in South American qualifying although the Canadian-bound squad will be significantly stronger. It will not include Lionel Messi but Sergio Aguero is named to the twenty-one man pool. Aguero just turned 19 but he has already packed a considerable amount of experience into the last few years.

He made his debut for Independiente a month after his 15th birthday and a year later he scored his first senior goal. Initially he was not part of the Argentina squad that embarked on 2005 qualification but he was eventually called up. During the finals in Holland he made four appearances – all off the bench – but still contributed to the Argentine win. In the final match against Nigeria he was brought down in the penalty box and his pal Lionel Messi scored the winning goal.

Less than 12 months later Aguero moved to Atletico Madrid for $35M and he has just completed his first season La Liga play.

Ever Banega (Boca Juniors) will almost certainly start in the midfield for Argentina and will be the fulcrum of activity. Defender Emiliano Insua moved from Boca Juniors to Liverpool last January on loan with the strong possibility of the arrangement becoming permanent. Goalkeeper Sergio Romero (Racing) finished the qualifying competition unbeaten in 390 minutes.

 
The Czech Republic has produced some fine age group sides over the last decade or so although this team may struggle to reach the heights achieved by others. In European qualifying the Czech Republic lost at the semi final stage to eventual runners-up Scotland 1-0.

Inconsistency makes it difficult to predict how this Czech side will fair and it is reasonable to assume that attacking midfielder Marek Strestik (Brno) wil have a lot to do with it.

Back in 1966 at the World Cup North Korea pulled off one of the greatest upsets in the history of sport in beating Italy and knocking them out of the World Cup. A few days later the North Koreans were leading Portugal 3-0 in the quarter-finals before an Eusebio-inspired comeback led to a 5-3 win for Portugal.

The North Koreans slipped back to their closed society leaving only legends and stories. Over 40 years later will the North Koreans reemerge? Two years ago at Peru 2005 at the under-17s they made it to the last eight and were only eliminated after taking Brazil to extra time. As Asian Champions the North Koreans should not be underestimated but it is difficult to get reliable information on their players.

The names that seem to get mentioned regularly are goalkeeper Ju Kwang-Min, midfielder Ri Chol-Myong and striker Kim ####-Il who scored four goals in Asian qualifying.
Panama has made great strides as football in Panama cuts into the traditional following for baseball. Leading the side is the legendary striker Julio Dely Valdes whose career took him to Italy, France and Spain. Although Panama lost 5-0 to the USA in qualifying and finished behind the Americans both teams had already guaranteed spots in the finals.  Striker Josue Jafeth Brown is the name most often mentioned as carrying an attacking threat.

Predicted finish – 1. Argentina, 2. North Korea, 3. Czech Republic and 4. Panama.

Team Notes
The USA has had to replace Bolton Wanderers’ Johann Smith after he suffered a bad ankle sprain in a closed door friendly against New Zealand earlier this week. Preston Zimmerman has been named to replace him.

Radio New Zealand reports on the game – “The New Zealand under 20 football side has lost its second warm up match ahead of the under 20 world cup, going down four nil to the United States in New Jersey.
New Zealand were without three first choice players who've come down with a virus and after losing three nil to Costa Rica in San Jose three days ago coach Stu Jacobs is desperate to arrange a training match against the reserve team from Major League Soccer newcomers Toronto to finally give his first eleven a run.
The side's opening match of tournament is in Toronto on Monday against two-time champions Portugal.”
New Zealand will play Toronto FC in a training game on Friday.

You can send any information (fsr@mts.net) that you think might be of interest about the twenty-four countries and I will post a regular selection. If you have a FIFA Under-20 blog go ahead and post your link under comments.

Will Buckley on Martin O’Neill the television pundit. You have to read this one for the comment on Alan Shearer alone.

David Pleat on England’s five man midfield.

Jon Brodkin on Big Phil and a date with England.

Ossie Ardilles calls Jose Peckerman to account for Argentina’s tactics against Mexico.