Trinidad and Tobago Under-20 head coach Zoran Vranes says he has a fair idea of what his starting team will be when the young Soca Warriors take on hosts Egypt in the opening match of the 2009 FIFA Under-20 World Championship in Alexandria on Thursday from 8 p.m. (1 p.m. T&T time).
Vranes was speaking prior to the T&T squad's departure from Lanarca, Cyprus on their way to Cairo following an eight-day training camp in Aiya Napa. They are scheduled to have their first training session in Alexandria this evening.
The Serbia-born coach made ten changes in his team's 2-1 loss to Australia and then ten changes to his starting line-up against the United States from the one that kicked off against the Aussies last Tuesday.
However, he said such swapping didn't mean he was unsure on his team for the big kick off.
"No, I have the starting XI in my head for a while. This was a tactical move I should say (all the changes). We didn't need to put everything together. We used the chance to get everybody involved in the matches. This is an opportunity for everybody to get game experience because you never know who will have to play in the second or third game," Vranes told Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation (TTFF) media officer Shaun Fuentes.
The hosts have all home-based players in their squad for the tournament.
They have left no stone unturned in their quest to do themselves proud at the U-20 World Cup, which they will host from September 24-October 16.
The Egyptians have faced more than 80 different opponents in friendlies and installed Miroslav Soukup, who masterminded Czech Republic's improbable runners-up finish at Canada 2007, in their hot seat, marking the first time a foreigner has coached them at youth level.
"I'm very content with the group I have now and I'm convinced they're the best," said Soukup.
"We called up several professionals from Italy, Austria, Denmark and other countries who joined the team so we could judge their level, but they were no better than the local players."
Italy, T&T's second opponents in Egypt, boast of several players attached to clubs in Serie A, the Italian top flight.
The cornerstone of the Italian attack is Roma winger Stefano Okaka Chuka. Born in Italy to Nigerian parents, he was sent on loan to Brescia in January and scored his first Serie A goal at the age of 16.
They have players on contract with AC Milan, Sampdoria, Juventus, Lecce, Roma, Genoa and Fiorentina.
Paraguay, the Young Warriors' third rivals in their preliminary group, also have several home-based players but also Italian-based defender Ronald Huth of Vicenza, midfielder Hernan Perez of Spain's Villareal and goalkeeper Gerardo Ortiz of Argentina' Quilmes.
T&T's overseas-based players include Khaleem Hyland of Belgian club Zulte Waregem, striker Jamal Gay of German Second Division club Rot Weiss Oberhausen, Jake Thomson of England's Southampton, five US college-based players in Sean De Silva, Qian Grosvenor, Jesse Fullerton, Uriah Bentick, Leston Paul, Joe Public's Jean Luc Rochford, Marcus Joseph, Marvin Manswell, Andre Marchan, Daneil Cyrus, W Connection's Aubrey David, Petrotrin's Glenroy Samuel, Juma Clarence and Akeem Adams, San Juan Jabloteh duo Roberto Primus and Sheldon Bateau and Ma Pau's Kevin Molino, Curtis Gonzales and Mekeil Williams.
Trinidad and Tobago skipper Leston Paul said his team will not be overwhelmed by the high rating and home advantage of their opening opponents.
"Our squad is well balanced with experience from overseas and at home. I think we have a good talent base. We will be ready and will give it our best against the other teams," Paul noted.
Stern challenge for U-20 hosts.
FIFA.COM
The presence of the hosts guarantees passion and thrills galore in an intriguing Group A at the FIFA U-20 World Cup 2009. Roared on by their boisterous fans, Egypt will go to the limit and beyond in their efforts to reach the knockout stages. "The entire nation expects us to do well at this tournament," confirmed coach Miroslav Soukup after the group stage draw.
However, that will be a big ask for the Egyptians, as they have landed in a formidable section with Paraguay and Italy, the runners-up in the South American and European championships respectively. That makes it doubly important for the FIFA U-20 World Cup hosts to start with a win in the opening match against Trinidad and Tobago. No team from the Caribbean island nation has ever won a game at a FIFA finals tournament, and the Soca Warriors' up-and-coming youngsters consequently rate as underdogs in Group A.
The teams in Group A
Egypt
Trinidad and Tobago
Paraguay
Italy
The matches (all kick-offs local time)
Egypt-Trinidad and Tobago, Alexandria, 24 September, 20:00
Paraguay-Italy, Cairo, 25 September, 16:00
Italy-Trinidad and Tobago, Cairo, 28 September, 18:45
Egypt-Paraguay, Cairo, 28 September, 21:30
Trinidad and Tobago-Paraguay, Cairo, 1 October, 21:30
Italy-Egypt, Cairo, 1 October, 21:30
How they qualified
Egypt: Qualified automatically as hosts
Trinidad and Tobago: Fourth at the CONCACAF U-20 Championship 2009 on home soil
Paraguay: Runners-up at the South American U-20 Championship 2009 in Venezuela
Italy: Runners-up at the UEFA U-19 European Championship 2008 in the Czech Republic
The location
The opening match at the FIFA U-20 World Cup 2009 between hosts Egypt and Trinidad and Tobago takes place in the imposing surroundings of the 80,000 capacity Egyptian Army Stadium in Alexandria. At just over four million inhabitants, the Mediterranean port is the second-biggest city in North Africa after Cairo. Founded by legendary scholar-general Alexander the Great in 332 BC, Alexandria's famous library made the city the intellectual powerhouse of the ancient world.
The remaining Group A fixtures are split between Cairo International Stadium (capacity 72,668) and Al Salam Stadium (22,000 capacity) in Cairo. The Egyptian capital ranks as the biggest city in the Arabic world. Historic Cairo was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site some 30 years ago. The pyramids of Giza, the Sphinx and a huge number of world-famous attractions are located nearby.
The crunch match: Paraguay-Italy, Cairo, 25 September, 16:00
The runners-up in the South American and European championships go head-to-head on the first matchday in the most eagerly-awaited of the Group A fixtures. In no fewer than seven previous appearances at the FIFA U-20 World Cup finals, Paraguay's best placing to date was fourth in 2001. Italy are contesting FIFA's second-biggest and second-oldest tournament for the fifth time. However, in five previous meetings with South American opponents, the Azzurrini have won only once.
The opening gambit
"We intend to be difficult opponents, with a good balance in the team. It would certainly rate as an unwelcome surprise if we failed to survive the group. I'm the kind of guy who's always setting targets and dreaming dreams. Winning the World Cup would realise my greatest professional dream," Adrian Coria, Paraguay coach.
Warner gets sponsorship for U-20’s parents.
T&T Newsday Reports.
THE TRINIDAD and Tobago Football Federation (TTFF), in collaboration with its special advisor Jack Austin Warner and All Sport Promotions, have combined to provide support for the Trinidad and Tobago Under-20 football team, who will begin their campaign in the FIFA Under-20 World Cup on Thursday with an opening day match against hosts Egypt.
According to a media release issued Saturday, “the TTFF has secured support, from several sources, to ensure that at least one relative from each member of the national Under-20 team will witness this country’s First Round games.”
Trinidad and Tobago will face Egypt on Thursday from 2.45 pm (TT time) in Group “A”, followed by meetings against Italy on September 28 and Paraguay on October 1.
The media release continued, “the TT Government turned down several appeals to assist the parents.
“(On August 21), the Government, through Minister of Sport Gary Hunt, announced the contribution of lap-tops to all the players on the squad.
However, to date, six members of the team have not received theirs, despite assurances from the Sports Company (of Trinidad and Tobago) to have the promise fulfilled completely.”
Accompanying the family members to Egypt today will be 14-year-old Shaquille Frame, a physically-challenged student of Vessigny High School who has been in attendance, at both a locally-staged TT Under-20 game or a training session for over a year. Frame’s trip was sponsored by Warner while All Sport, the managing company for the tour of Egypt, will sponsor Frame’s mother Mary Perreira Smith to travel to the tournament.
“This is a dream come true for my son and myself,” Smith was quoted as saying.
“I had been praying since Mr Warner announced (on August 21) that he was taking Shaquille, that I would have the opportunity to travel with him.
“As I know, he has special needs and Mr (Tony) Harford’s (managing director of All Sport Promotions) call was an answer to those prayers,” she added. “I will be ever grateful.”
In all, 45 persons will make the trek to watch the Zoran Vranes-coached team battle for glory in Egypt.