Egypt hope to put their best foot forward in this year's championship

With a sizable expatriate population in the UAE, Egypt will not be lacking in crowd support. In fact, after the UAE, it will be Egypt that will enjoy playing here. The team turned many heads in the last World Youth Championship by winning the bronze.

Egypt, who once again topped the pack from the African qualifiers, will be looking to emulate their feat in Argentina in 2001. Coupled with the fact that Egypt will be staging the 2006 African Nations Cup, it is this under-20 squad that will contain the core of the future senior team and the country will be following their fortunes closely.

"I think we'll have a very strong side in 2006 (the African Nations Cup will be staged in Egypt in 2006) if we nurture the players who finished third in Argentina and others who helped win the African Youth Championship in Burkina Faso this year," said Sherif Ekramy, the goalkeeper and captain of the under-20 squad on the FIFA website.

In Argentina, Egypt used their physical strength to maximum advantage as they churned out an aggressive and robust style of play which carried them up to the semifinals and then to a third-place finish.

Leading the charge is former Zamalek player Hasan Shehata who took over as coach from Chawki Gharib. Though a highly-skilled player, who dazzled in the 1970's with his dribbling ability, Shehata has employed a tough approach. The style paid dividends as they topped in Africa playing a 3-5-2 formation.

The Egyptians started with two easy qualifying rounds (3-1 and 0-0 against Uganda, 2-0 and 0-0 against Zimbabwe). Two draws (1-1) against Cote d'Ivoire and Ghana and a resounding win over Morocco (4-0) gave them a semifinal berth. After defeating Mali (1-0) the 'Young Pharaohs' overcame a strong Cote d'Ivoire (4-3) after extra-time to lift their third African Youth Championship trophy.

Zamalek, Ahly and Ismaili, the top three clubs of Egypt have produced most of the members of the national under-20 squad and their experience in the league has helped the youngsters to cope well when under pressure.

Megahed Amir Azmy marshals the defence and Egypt have advanced without a loss to the finals. Sherif Ekramy, who was on the bench in Argentina 2001, came into his own at the 2003 African Youth Championship where he was voted best goalkeeper.

As skipper of the team, Ekramy plays a major role in guiding his players and much is expected from him during their campaign in the UAE. In the frontline, Ibrahim Emad's speed has caused havoc among rival defenders.