http://fifa.com/en/comp/wyc2005qual/0,4065,5,00.html
Canada are reaping the rewards of a progressive youth policy initiated by their football association. Last tournament’s tremendous run to the quarter-finals combined with a top-spot position from a tough-looking qualifying group in Honduras, has many fans beginning to talk of medals instead of avoiding a first-round exit on their seventh seat 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 coach Dale Mitchell, Canada could well surprise many of the more traditional powers in the Netherlands. Their attacking threat should come from the wings where the pace of Jamie Peters and Marcel De Jong will trouble the busiest of defenders. And in Ryan Gyaki, who scored all four goals in qualifying, they have a midfielder for the biggest of occasions.
With the nation due to stage the event in 2007 and after the disappointment of failing to reach the final qualifying stage for the 2006 FIFA World Cup still fresh in many fans’ minds, the young Canucks will be mindful that a nation’s attention will be directed towards them in Europe.
Qualifying
Canada won all three of their games in Honduras to comfortably qualify for the finals. They showed their battling qualities by coming from a goal down in their crunch opener against Mexico to score a 2-1 win. Hosts Honduras were then put to the sword by the only goal, and having already made it, the Maple Leafs defeated Jamaica 1-0 to complete a perfect tournament.
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, coming ever so close to shocking Spain and grabbing a spot in the final four. 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 Mexicoâ„¢.
Star Player
A recent recruit to Dale Mitchell’s side, Ryan Gyaki has made a sensational impact, scoring all four goals as Canada swept to qualification. Spotted by a Sheffield United scout three years ago in Cuba, the Toronto-born midfielder has been progressing through the English First Division club’s youth system until recent niggling Injuries caused a setback. The new year could not have started more positively and the 19-year-old, one of Mitchell’s leaders on the park, will be hoping for more glory in the Netherlands.
Record
This will be Canada's seventh appearance after 1979, 1985, 1987, 1997, 2001 and 2003
Canada’s best run came at UAE 2003 when they reached the quarter-finals
Canada will host the 2007 edition of the competition
Quote
"Chemistry is a very big thing in sport and this team certainly has an abundance of it.� (Dale Mitchell, coach)
FIFA on Canada U20
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