Group E

The Big Match

Argentina vs. Czech Republic (June 30 in Ottawa) – What a barnburner this one will be!

Schedule

June 30: North Korea vs. Panama in Ottawa
June 30: Argentina vs. Czech Republic in Ottawa
July 3: Czech Republic vs. North Korea in Ottawa
July 3: Panama vs. Argentina in Ottawa
July 6: Czech Republic vs. Panama in Montreal
July 6: Argentina vs. North Korea in Ottawa

What The Experts Say

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

As five-time winners of this competition, Argentina has to be considered one of the favourites in Canada.

The defending champions don't have Lionel Messi (the 2005 tournament MVP) to rely on any longer – he's since graduated to the senior team – but the Argentines still have plenty of outstanding players and enough class to cruise to the top of this group.

The Czech Republic could prove to be a bit of an obstacle, though. The Czechs are a defensive team, but they do have a sparkling creative talent in creative midfielder Marek Strestik.

North Korean shockingly won the Asian qualifying tournament, while Panama will be playing in its third straight tournament and will be shooting for its first win.

Predicted finish: 1. Argentina, 2. Czech Republic, 3. North Korea, 4. Panama

Mitch Peacock, Commentator, CBC Sports:

Like Group D, this group features a powerhouse and two pretty strong sides. Defending champs Argentina has to be considered a strong title contender with both North Korea and the Czech Republic capable of advancing to the second round.

Argentina is loaded with high-end talent with the likes of Atletico Madrid’s Sergio Aguero and Real Madrid’s Gonzalo Higuain expected to suit up. With that kind of quality it’s no wonder they’re a candidate to extend their record number of under-20 titles to six.

As for the rest of the group, the Czech Republic is seen as a very capable defensive side while North Korea comes in as a bit of a wild-card having stunned everyone in the Asian qualifiers. Panama is in tough as they seek their first point at this level.

Predicted finish: 1. Argentina, 2. North Korea, 3. Czech Republic, 4.Panama

Nigel Reed, Commentator, CBC Sports:

Fittingly, the nation’s capital will play host to the defending champions. And by the time the tournament wraps up in Toronto, Argentina could be celebrating again.

It’s difficult to look beyond a team that boasts such a litany of success at under-20 level, even if Lionel Messi is no longer part of the junior program, despite still being eligible to participate under FIFA’s age regulations.

But this could be the so-called “Group of Death” with Asian champions North Korea and the dark horses from the Czech Republic also aiming for success. Panama round out the group and is still searching for its first point after two previous visits to the tournament.

Predicted finish: 1. Argentina, 2. North Korea, 3. Czech Republic, 4. Panama