Friday�s Fifa Under-20 World Cup Group A match features an intriguing clash between Paraguay and Italy. The runners-up from South America and Europe face off at the Cairo International Stadium at 16h00.
In what many observers expect to be the decisive showdown in Group A, both teams will be looking for a positive result in order to avoid undue pressure in the remaining group fixtures.
Curiously, it is Paraguay and Italy�s first meeting at a Fifa junior-level tournament, despite both nations� long history at the Under-20 World Cup: the South Americans are contesting the trophy for the eighth time, while the Europeans have featured at the finals on four previous occasions.
The Italians have met Conmebol opponents five times in the past, although Gli Azzurrini won only one and lost the other four of those matches.
�The first game is never easy, and if we�re not in good shape on the day, it could end up being costly for us. We�re talking about a European team, and they very rarely lose their shape. To have any chance of beating them, we�ll have to be just as well-organised, or even better-organised than them,� says Paraguay coach Adrian Coria.
�It�ll definitely be a high-quality tournament. My team faces an incredibly tough task. Paraguay is exceptionally well-drilled, and the fact they knocked out reigning world champions Argentina in qualifying shows they're a class act,� Italy coach Francesco Rocca adds.
Nigeria and Venezuela get the ball rolling in Group B when they meet at the Al Salam Stadium. Kick off is at 18h45.
These two sides go into the competition with very different pressures upon them. While the Nigerians must live up to their pre-tournament billing of title candidates, newcomers Venezuela are outsiders with nothing to lose.
The meeting is also a clash of styles between the direct, physical approach of the Africans and the South Americans� more patient brand of possession-based football, setting up the prospect of an intriguing battle for three valuable points.
�We've never beaten a South American team before, but things will be different this time. That doesn't mean to say we'll be underestimating Venezuela because that would be a big mistake. It's our first match and we want to win it,� says Nigeria midfielder Yakubu Alfa.
�Nigeria are a physical side with some quick and dynamic players, and they're one of the strongest teams at this level. We need to be watchful because there's a lot at stake in each game, especially the first one,� says Venezuela forward Jose Salomon.
In the second Group B match, Spain will be out to make a solid start when they take on Tahiti in Cairo. Kick off is at 21h30.
Despite the absence of some of their biggest names, La Roja boast a talented squad with plenty of potential and should have more than enough firepower to see off new boys Tahiti.
Yet as Spain coach Luis Milla has been stressing, opening matches are rarely straightforward. Oceania's lone representatives are well aware of their limitations and know that their only chance of springing a surprise against one of the tournament favourites is to maintain their focus for 90 minutes.
�We can�t afford to take Tahiti lightly because if you start a game badly or lose concentration you can make life difficult for yourself, especially when it's your opening match,� Milla says.
�We want to show that there are some values in the game that can move mountains. I can't say if we�re going to win any of our games but we'll be putting our hearts into each match and a lot of discipline too,� adds Tahiti coach Lionel Charbonnier.
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