The Canadians are currently reaping the rewards of a progressive and forward-thinking youth policy initiated by their football association. Their tremendous run to the quarter-finals at UAE 2003 combined with the favourable position they will occupy as hosts in 2007, has many fans dreaming of medals rather than just avoiding a first-round exit on their eighth outing among the world's best youth.
This season's crop look likely to be typically tough to breakdown. Mentally strong, possessing players with the experience of living and playing abroad and tactically well drilled by long-time boss Dale Mitchell, Canada could well surprise many of the more traditional powers with the aid of familiar fields and what are bound to be energetic and boisterous crowds. With a fine cocktail of domestic and European-based players, Canada will most likely be relying on the sturdy play of Newcastle fullback David Edgar and Ipswich Town's Jaime Peters - both veterans of Netherlands 2005.
Having failed to match the wonder-run of 2003 with a disappointing first-round exit at Netherlands 2005, the hosts will be keen to re-stamp their authority once the ball gets rolling for the 16th instalment of the world youth showpiece.
Preparations
Having qualified automatically as hosts, the young Canadians
embarked upon an ambitious schedule of friendly matches and
full-residency training camps to ensure match fitness and team
chemistry to be at optimum levels once hostilities spark off in the
Great White North. Coach Dale Mitchell - who will hold the Canuck
reins for the third U-20 finals running - has seen his side draw
with southern rivals the USA and earn a famous 3-1 result against
Brazil before nearly 15,000 fans in Edmonton over the course of a
gruelling 2006.
Coach
The eloquent Dale Mitchell will once again be in charge as
Canada come up against the best in youth football. Canada and
Mitchell, who has been at the helm of the youth team since February
2002, won many friends in the United Arab Emirates in 2003, coming
ever so close to shocking Spain and grabbing a spot in the final
four. He and his new charges will be keen to put the rest the
disappointments of Netherlands 2005, where the only point they
picked up came from a draw with Syria. Previously A-League Coach of
the Year with hometown side the Vancouver Whitecaps, he has worked
his way up the youth football ladder - including a stint as
assistant coach of the U-17 side. A former international, Mitchell
hit a record 19 goals in 55 matches and was part of the Canada side
that reached the 1986 FIFA World Cup Mexico
TM.
Star player
At a towering 6 foot 4 inches, David Edgar is always going to
stand out on a football pitch. Throw into the mix a deft touch on
the ball, a nose for the occasional crunching tackle and an eye for
goal, and the 19-year-old Ontario native begins to look like the
complete package. Coming up through the academy system at Newcastle
- where his father Eddie also played - the 2006/7 campaign marked a
turning point for young David. After making his first-team debut
for the Magpies early on against Bolton, he went on to score a
stunning long-range goal against Manchester United on 1 January to
help earn his side a share of the spoils in a 2-2 draw. Having
lined up for Canada two years ago at the FIFA U-20 World Cup in the
Netherlands and at UAE 2003, Edgar - who is now also earning calls
up for the senior Canuck side - will have the experience necessary
to lead the North Americans into battle on home soil.
Record
- This will be Canada's eighth appearance after qualifying in
1979, 1985, 1987, 1997, 2001, 2003 and the last instalment in
Holland in 2005
- Canada's best run came at UAE 2003 when they reached the
quarter-finals with some startling performances
- Canada has hosted the FIFA U-17 World Championship (1987) and the inaugural FIFA U-19 Women's World Championship in 2002.
"We are going to have to play at home in 2007 so to try and build some of momentum as we head towards next year's U-20 World Cup can only be beneficial." (Dale Mitchell, coach)
