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.