Diego Poyet, in the red vest, with Uruguay U-20 Fifa World Cup team mates. Photo / NZME.
Diego Poyet, in the red vest, with Uruguay U-20 Fifa World Cup team mates. Photo / NZME.
Youngster looks to secure Argentina success in U-20 World Cup.
Counting down to the Fifa Under-20 World Cup, which begins in two days, the Herald looks at how each group stacks up. Today, Kris Shannon weighs up Group C.
Teams
Mexico
Mexico won the 2015 Concacaf U-20 Championship, progressing unbeaten through pool play to punch their ticket to New Zealand,before beating Panama in the final to defend the crown they have owned since 2011. Mexico have played 13 of the 19 World Cups at this level, with their best result in the inaugural tournament in 1977 where they were second.
Mali made it to New Zealand after topping their group at the 2015 African U-20 Championship, going on to finish fourth at the tournament. This will be Mali's sixth appearance at the U-20 World Cup.
Uruguay
The reigning runner-up qualified after finishing third at the 2015 South American Youth Football Championship, earning a win and a draw from two games against Brazil. Along with their second-place effort in Turkey in 2013, Uruguay were also beaten finalists in 1997.
Serbia finished second in their group at the 2014 Uefa U-19 Championship but that was enough to book their ticket to the World Cup. Having headed to the tournament as defending champions, they eventually finished with a penalty shootout defeat against Portugal in the semifinals.
Favourites
Uruguay - Based on their form in the qualifying tournament, in which they conceded five goals in nine matches, the South Americans will be tough to break down. Coach Fabian Coito has created continuity among his team, which largely consists of players drawn from Uruguay's top division.
Mali - Aside from a surprise third-place finish at the 1999 tournament, Mali have made few waves during their five appearances at this level. They are without a win at a U-20 World Cup in their last eight games, while the nation has never produced a crop of players talented enough to quality for a full World Cup.
Star man
Diego Poyet - son of former Chelsea and Tottenham midfielder Gus - certainly has the pedigree and the Uruguayan has also been making his name in England. Poyet began his career at Charlton, where he was named player of the year in 2014. On the books of West Ham, Poyet spent the season on loan at Huddersfield.
Stat
Serbia will be making their first appearance at the U-20 World Cup as an independent nation, having previously played as part of Yugoslavia at two tournaments.
Did you know?
Born in Spain with Uruguayuan parentage, Diego Poyet actually represented England at U-16 and U-17 level, having spent his teenage years there while father Gus managed Brighton & Hove Albion and Sunderland. Gus was interested in signing his son at Sunderland but shied away for fear of being accused of nepotism.
Prediction
Look for the final match between Serbia and Mexico to determine which other team advances automatically to the second stage.
Group D draw
• Mexico v Mali 1pm, May 31; Otago Stadium, Dunedin
• Uruguay v Serbia 4pm, May 31; Otago Stadium, Dunedin
• Mexico v Uruguay 4pm, June 3; Otago Stadium, Dunedin
