The Young Socceroos have been drawn in a tough group, alongside Spain, Costa Rica and Ecuador, for July’s FIFA Under-20 World Cup in Colombia.
Former champions and two-time runners up Spain are the heavy favourites in Group C, while Costa Rica inflicted a 3-0 defeat on the Young Socceroos in the group stage of the 2009 tournament, before finishing in fourth place.
Young Socceroos coach Jan Versleijen knows they will have to be at their best to even make it through the group stage.
“It’s always said that there are no easy matches at a World Cup and from looking at our group this is definitely true,” Versleijen said.
“We played Costa Rica at the last World Cup in Egypt so we are familiar with their style of play.
“Spain is one of the strongest teams in Europe and are famous for their youth development programs so we are expecting them to be very tough.”
The draw for the tournament, to be played from July 29-August 20, was announced on Wednesday in the Colombian city of Cartagena by former Colombian internationals Oscar Cordoba and Carlos Valderrama.
The Young Socceroos will travel to the USA in mid-July for a pre-tournament camp in Denver, Colorado, before moving to their base camp in the Colombian city of Manizales, situated 2300m above sea-level, to help acclimatise to the altitude during the first phase of the tournament.
They will play their first match against Ecuador on July 31, and then face Costa Rica on August 3 before their final group match against Spain on August 6.
Brazil will kick off the tournament against Egypt on July 29.
Are you the ultimate team manager? Pick your own superstar team and go head to head with other football fans for glory and cash prizes on Draftstars. Imagine what you could be buying instead. Set a deposit limit.
Ange Postecoglou was fuming after his team lost 2-0 to Manchester City to put the defending champions on the cusp of a record fourth-straight…
It will be a bumper occasion, there will not be a spare seat in the house and of course, Sydney FC could well produce a miracle with their backs against the wall.
Morocco is not the only nation to find success with a large contingent of foreign-developed players - and the Socceroos can join that list.
Former Premier League striker turned pundit Michael Bridges has launched a staggering attack on Manchester United manager Eric ten Hag in the wake of…
Former Socceroos defender Patrick Kisnorbo will make his return from the coaching wilderness when he leads the A-League Men All Stars against Newcastle United.…
A win for Ange Postecoglou's Tottenham against Manchester City this week could hand the Premier League title to Spurs' arch rivals Arsenal. So be…
