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Home advantage UAE gets first-round boost at World Youth ChampionshipsPosted: Wednesday January 29, 2003 5:17 PM
ABU DHABI (Reuters) -- United Arab Emirates will hope to cruise into the second round of the World Youth Championships after being drawn in the same group as three newcomers on Wednesday. The hosts meet Slovakia, Panama and Burkina Faso in group A of the tournament that runs from March 25 to April 16, while defending champions Argentina will face Spain, Uzbekistan and Mali in their first round group. Mattar al-Tayer, general secretary of the UAE Football Association and director of the championship, said his team's goal would be to reach the second round. "There are no weak teams in this championship. They are the best in the world. We were quite fortunate to be drawn with three first time qualifiers but they are as strong as any other team," said Al Tayer. At the draw ceremony on Wednesday Jack Warner, FIFA vice-president and chairman of the organising committee, said: "The field is becoming quite level with the entry of four new teams in the 2003 championship. "It is also good for the sport and fans can expect exciting good football," he added. Uzbekistan join Panama, Slovakia and Burkina Faso among the first time qualifiers. Brazil, who have qualified for the championships 10 times, will face Canada, the Czech Republic and Australia. South Korea will find Paraguay, the U.S. and Germany tough rivals in what could be another tight group. Egypt, third in the 2001 championship, are in a tough group that also includes Colombia, Japan and England. The top two from each group and the four best third-placed teams from the six groups will advance into the second round. ScheduleABU DHABI (Reuters) -- Following is the draw and fixtures for the World Youth Championship which begin in the United Arab Emirates in March (all kick-off times GMT):
Group A (in Abu Dhabi) - United Arab Emirates, Slovakia,
Panama, Burkina Faso
Tuesday, March 25
United Arab Emirates v Slovakia (1630)
Wednesday, March 26
Panama v Burkina Faso (1630)
Saturday, March 29
Burkina Faso v Slovakia (1345)
Panama v United Arab Emirates (1630)
Tuesday, April 1
United Arab Emirates v Burkina Faso (1345)
Slovakia v Panama (1630)
- -
Group B (in Sharjah) - Argentina, Spain, Uzbekistan, Mali
Wednesday, March 26
Argentina v Spain (1345)
Uzbekistan v Mali (1630)
Saturday, March 29
Mali v Spain (1345)
Uzbekistan v Argentina (1630)
Tuesday, April 1
Argentina v Mali (1345)
Spain v Uzbekistan (1630)
- -
Group C (in Dubai) - Brazil, Canada, Czech Republic,
Australia
Wednesday, March 26
Brazil v Canada (1345)
Czech Republic v Australia (1630)
Saturday, March 29
Australia v Canada (1345)
Czech Republic v Brazil (1630)
Tuesday, April 1
Brazil v Australia (1345)
Canada v Czech Republic (1630)
- -
Group D (in Dubai) - Colombia, Egypt, Japan, England
Thursday, March 27
Colombia v Egypt (1345)
Japan v England (1630)
Sunday, March 30
England v Egypt (1345)
Japan v Colombia (1630)
Wednessday, April 2
Colombia v England (1345)
Egypt v Japan (1630)
- -
Group E (in Al Ain) - Saudi Arabia, Ireland, Mexico,
Ivory Coast
Thursday, March 27
Saudi Arabia v Ireland (1345)
Mexico v Ivory Coast (1630)
Sunday, March 30
Ivory Coast v Ireland (1345)
Mexico v Saudi Arabia (1630)
Wednesday, April 2
Saudi Arabia v Ivory Coast (1345)
Ireland v Mexico (1630)
- -
Group F (in Abu Dhabi) - Paraguay, United States, South
Korea, Germany
Thursday, March 27
Paraguay v United States (1345)
South Korea v Germany (1630)
Sunday, March 30
Germany v United States (1345)
South Korea v Paraguay (1630)
Wednesday, April 2
Paraguay v Germany (1345)
United States v South Korea (1630)
- - - -
Second round
Saturday, April 5
A - Abu Dhabi : 1st D v 3rd B, E, or F (1400)
B - Abu Dhabi : 1st A v 3rd C, D, or E (1700)
C - Dubai : 1st B v 3rd A, C, or D (1400)
D - Dubai : 1st E v 2nd D (1700)
Sunday, April 6
E - Sharjah : 2nd C v 2nd A (1400)
F - Sharjah : 1st C v 3rd A, B, or F (1700)
G - Al-Ain : 2nd F v 2nd B (1400)
H - Al-Ain : 1st F v 2nd E (1700)
- -
Quarter-final
Wednesday, April 9
1 - Abu Dhabi : Winner B v Winner G (1400)
2 - Abu Dhabi : Winner H v Winner C (1700)
3 - Dubai : Winner D v Winner F (1400)
4 - Dubai : Winner A v Winner E (1700)
- -
Semi-final
Saturday, April 12
Abu Dhabi : Winner 4 v Winner 2 (1400)
Dubai : Winner 1 v Winner 3 (1700)
- -
3rd/4th place playoff
Wednesday, April 16
Abu Dhabi (1400)
- -
Final
Wednesday, April 16
Abu Dhabi (1645)
Copyright 2003 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved. |
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