Egypt look to avoid early exit

ENSCHEDE (GoPharaohs.com) – The Junior Pharaohs will need at least a point from their second Group D match on Tuesday if they are to avoid a disappointingly premature exit from the FIFA World Youth Championship.

Their task will not be facilitated by opponents Argentina, who boast four titles at this level including three out of the last five. To make matters worse, Argentina will be just as desperate for points as Egypt, having gone down 1-0 to the United States in their first match. Egypt meanwhile were gunned down 2-0 by a less-than-impressive Germany in their opener.

Egypt will be without the services of Abdallah Shahat and Mohamed Mahmoud, both ejected in the opening defeat.

The North African outfit has failed to live up to its self-imposed expectations. Following a third-place effort in 2001 and a quarterfinal berth in 2003, the team felt it had as good a chance as any at winning a title in 2005.

Said striker Ahmed Samir Farag: “We don’t want to go back home after just three games. We’re here to win the trophy, and obviously to gain experience”.

The fixture is slated for 4:30 PM GMT. Swiss referee Massimo Busacca, countrymen Francesco Buragina and Matthias Arnet, and Dutchman Eric Braamhaar are set to officiate the tie.

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Germany and the United States both look to book their places in the second round when they meet in the other Group D clash later that day.