Old foes to renew ties

Tough opener
At last night's draw in Abu Dhabi, the tournament's 24 sides were divided into six groups of four. The top two sides from each group and the four best third-placed teams from the six groups will advance into the second round. European Under-19 champions and 1999 world champions Spain were handed a tough opening assignment in Group B against holders Argentina. Nevertheless, the Spaniards will be confident of acquiring enough points against their other opponents Mali and Uzbekistan to progress whatever their result against the Argentinians.

'Moderately tough'
Germany, who lost last year's U19 final to Spain, have been placed in Group F alongside Paraguay, United States and Korean Republic. "It is a moderately tough group," said Germany coach Ulrich Stielike. "The first group game [against the Korean Republic] could be decisive. The US are a close-knit squad that train together often so they, and Paraguay, should not be underestimated."

Ireland meet old adversaries
Ireland, third in the 1997 tournament, have been drawn in Group E alongside Saudi Arabia and Mexico, who they met in the 1999 championship, as well as Côte d'Ivoire. "Three teams in green again," said Ireland’s senior team's assistant coach Noel O'Reilly, who will travel with the side to the UAE along with the as-yet unknown successor to youth guru Brian Kerr, who now leads the senior side.

'Four good sides'
"It's amazing that we'll meet them again and I suppose it gives us the advantage because the coaches will have experience of preparing teams for that kind of opposition, but [Côte d'Ivoire] are going to be no pushovers," O'Reilly added. "It's a good group from the point of view that there are four good sides there who will play football, though we can't take anything for granted."

Brazil feast for Czechs
Czech Republic coach Pavel Vrba, who took over the side last September after the death of Josef Krejca, is particularly looking forward to meeting Brazil in Group C. "They always have perfect ball skills in all their teams," he said. "To play against Brazil is a feast." Vrba has personal experience of facing Brazil in the 1983 World Youth Championship quarter-finals in Mexico, a game Czechoslovakia lost 4-1. Vrba was more confident about his side's prospects against other group opponents Canada and Australia. "We can find out information about them," he said. "And I suppose that we have a strong enough team to beat them."

England opportunity
Meanwhile England coach Les Reed, who side will face Colombia, Egypt and Japan in Group D, is hoping his side can make a positive impact at the tournament. "The players know what I'm doing. They are all extremely keen to be involved in the world championships," he said. "If we are able to take something like our strongest squad out there, we have the opportunity to show the rest of the world the excellent young English talent that we have coming up through the ranks."

Opening honour for Slovakia
The final European representatives Slovakia, who finished a surprise third at last year's European championship, will have the honour of taking part in the tournament's opening game against hosts UAE on 25 March before facing Burkina Faso and Panama in their final two Group A games. Mattar al-Tayer, general secretary of the UAE Football Association and director of the championship, said: "We were quite fortunate to be drawn with three first-time qualifiers but they are as strong as any other team."

'Exciting football'
Meanwhile, Jack Warner, FIFA vice-president and chairman of the organising committee predicted that the tournament would be a close-knit affair. "The field is becoming quite level with the entry of four new teams in the 2003 championship. It is also good for the sport and fans can expect exciting good football."