Group C

The Big Match

Mexico vs. Portugal (July 5 in Toronto) – First-place will likely be decided when the Portuguese take on the Mexicans at BMO Field.

Schedule

July 2: Portugal vs. New Zealand in Toronto
July 2: Gambia vs. Mexico in Toronto
July 5: New Zealand vs. Gambia in Toronto
July 5: Mexico vs. Portugal in Toronto
July 8: New Zealand vs. Mexico in Edmonton
July 8: Portugal vs. Gambia in Montreal

What The Experts Say

John F. Molinaro, Editor, 2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup, CBC Sports Online:

The old generation (Portugal) and the new generation (Mexico) collide in this group.

Led by Luis Figo and the "Golden Generation," Portugal won this tournament twice (in 1989 and 1991), but have managed only one final-four appearance since (in 1995). Midfielder Bruno Gama serves as the anchor of the current Portuguese team.

Mexico, on the other hand, enters this competition as one of the favourites. The Mexican squad is built on the youth team that won the FIFA U-17 World Championship two years ago in Peru and boasts two of the most sensational players in the world at this age level in Carlos Vela and Giovanni dos Santos.

New Zealand will be making its debut at this tournament, but the Kiwis might just sneak into the second round as a third-place team if midfielder Chris James lives up to his potential. Like New Zealand, Gambia takes its U-20 World Cup bow in Canada, but without a proven goal-scorer, look for the Africans to go home early.

Predicted finish: 1. Mexico, 2. Portugal, 3. New Zealand, 4. Gambia

Mitch Peacock, Commentator, CBC Sports:

Group C is home to quality sides Mexico and Portugal. The Mexicans are able to count on an impressive core of players that led the country to the title at the FIFA U-17 World Championship in Peru in 2005.

Barcelona’s Giovanni dos Santos and Arsenal’s Carlos Vela just two of the high-end prospects for Coach Jesus Ramirez whose team could be a championship contender.

Portugal has a history of excellence at the youth level, and many among this group played on the team that won the UEFA U-17 tournament in 2003. That said, Portugal did just enough to qualify for Canada.

Gambia and New Zealand round things out, and will compete but do not have the quality of their group counterparts.

Predicted finish: 1. Mexico, 2. Portugal, 3. Gambia, 4. New Zealand

Nigel Reed, Commentator, CBC Sports:

If they can translate potential into performance, Canada may be engulfed by one huge Mexican Wave this summer! “Los Ninos Heroes” travel to Canada high on expectation and talent in the hope that a new wave of Mexican stars will emerge to test the South American heavyweights.

The roster is based on that which won the FIFA U-17 World Championship in 2005 and two years on it will only have matured and improved. By how much is the key question.

Portugal will also feel at home in Toronto, where its game against Mexico could be one of the matches of the tournament. The Portuguese endured a modest qualifying campaign, but should accompany Mexico into the second round.