Under-20 World Cup set for kick-off

Tonight sees Trinidad and Tobago take on hosts Egypt in the first match of the 2009 Under-20 World Cup.

The tournament, taking place over three weeks, will no doubt provide thrills, spills and an ubundance of excitement as the next superstars are put through their paces.

Some players are already household names in their own countries, but this tournament will provide them with a chance to showcase their talents on the world stage, and many will be hoping to impress the watching scouts of the world's top clubs who will no doubt be avidly scribbling down the names of any impressive performers.

The tournament has helped to propel the likes of Thierry Henry, Luis Figo, Davor Suker, Ronaldinho and Lionel Messi in recent years, and looking further back, Diego Maradona and Enzo Francescoli also took part.

The tournament includes 24 teams with most of the usual suspects expected to fight it out for the prize, there are however, some notable absentees.

South American heavyweights Brazil, Uruguay and Paraguay will all take part but record six-time winners Argentina failed to qualify, a fate many will not wish to reoccur at the senior World Cup next summer in South Africa.

European stalwarts Germany, Italy, Spain and England have all travelled to Egypt but there was no place for Portugal or France, who also failed to qualify.

There are some surprise inclusions with Tahiti, Uzbekistan and the United Arab Emirates all making it through to their first tournaments at this level.

Uruguay's pacey playmaker, Jonathan Urretaviscaya will be one to look out for. Great things are expected of the Benfica man, who turned down a number of Europe's top clubs to sign for the Lisbon side.

Also based in Portugal is Nigeria's Rabiu Ibrahim who has been likened to fellow playmaker and Nigerian legend, Jay-Jay Okocha, big things are expected of the Sporting Lisbon youngster.

Douglas Costa has been attracting interest from some of Europe's top clubs, and he will be seen as the man to take Brazil all the way to the final. Hi skill and pace have drawn comparisons with Ronaldinho, however he is already going some way to stamping his own name on the game.

Sergio Asenjo will need to be on top form if Spain are to add to their solitary title at this level. His experience in the Spain goal, having taken over the gloves at Atletico Madrid this season, will prove invaluable as the tournament progresses. With much of the victorious Under-17 squad now in the current Under-20 squad Spain will be waiting expectantly.

Germany coach Horst Hrubesch, meanwhile, will look to add to this title to the European Under-21 crown he won earlier in the summer.

The teams are split into six groups with the top two progressing to the knockout stage.

Group A includes hosts Egypt, Trinidad & Tobago, Paraguay and Italy.

Group B will see matches between Nigeria, Venezuela, Spain and surprise-package Tahiti.

Group C is made up of USA, Germany, Cameroon and Korea Republic

Group D includes Ghana, Uzbekistan, England and Uruguay

Group E pits Brazil against Costa Rica, Czech Republic and Australia

Group F includes United Arab Emirates, South Africa, Honduras and Hungary.

The tournament will take place in the cities of Alexandria, Cairo, Ismailia, Suez and Port Said, with the final being played in Cairo on 16th October.

Redknapp rules out Sol move

Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp has ruled-out a move for former Tottenham captain Sol Campbell despite mounting injury problems.

Campbell left big-spending Notts County on Tuesday after just one game for the Magpies leading to rumours that he may be about to sign for a Premiership team.

Campbell left Tottenham under a cloud in 2001 when he signed for arch-rivals Arsenal on a free transfer. He was roundly derided by the Tottenham faithful in North-London derbies and labelled by some as a Judas figure, something Redknapp believes would make it difficult for Campbell to return to White Hart Lane.

In his column in the Sun he said: "I said during the summer that, if I was the boss of any other Premier League club, I'd sign Sol like a shot.

"That statement still applies today. But there is no way in the world Sol is ever going to play for Spurs again.

"There is simply too much bad feeling towards him from the fans at White Hart Lane.

"It would be too much hassle for him, for me and the club. Anyway, I couldn't sign him even if I wanted to because of the regulations.

"Sol is now a free agent but Premier League clubs can't sign any players unless they were out of contract in the transfer window."

Tottenham have first choice centre-backs Ledley King and Jonahtan Woodgate out injured, while back-up, Michael Dawson is also out. Redknapp recruited Sebastian Bassong from Newcastle during the summer but defensive reinforcements are needed if Tottenham are to continue pushing for a European place.