Dutch delight on the eve of Egypt opener

AMSTERDAM (GoPharaohs.com) – Hosts Holland were the only winners in the first day of the 2005 FIFA World Youth Championship.

The biennial event that showcases the world’s best under-20 national football teams got underway today with two matches.

Benin, an unknown commodity out of West Africa, got its campaign off to a satisfactory start in the opening match of the day, battling to a 1-1 draw with Australia.

In the day’s second match, two goals in the first 20 minutes from Holland were enough to see off a pesky Japanese side, that were able to cut the deficit to one goal before finally losing.

Among the Dutch goal-scorers was Ibrahim Allafay, a Moroccan native who recently chose the play for the Oranje over the Atlas Lions.

A full slate of matches are set for Saturday, with action in Groups B, C and D getting underway.

In Group B, Turkey takes on China while Ukraine plays Panama. Spain entertains Morocco and Honduras tackle Chile in Group C.

Most eyes will be on Group D, with youth football powerhouses Argentina, Germany, and Egypt all in action. Argentina will play up-and-comers USA, led by 16 year-old phenom Freddy Adu. Egypt meanwhile get started with European giants Germany.

The mood in the Egypt camp is that of focus, where it will be difficult to follow up on campaigns that saw Egypt make the second round of the competition in 2001 and 2003. Head coach Mohammed Radwan isn’t taking any chances, imposing an 11 PM curfew for his boys and a ban on televisions in players’ hotel rooms.

Ahmed Samir Farag is expected to lead the Junior Pharaohs attack. “We are not here to play three games and meekly go home”, the Sochaux forward said. “The group is certainly a tough one, but if we can get through it anything is possible.

“The first game in a competition is always tricky, but we are not nervous about it and our concentration is total”.