Amajita’s opponents confident
Amajita’s opponents confident
Posted: 2009-09-08 11:50
Hungary, who are drawn in Group F with Amajita at the Fifa Under-20 World Cup in Egypt, are hoping it will be fifth time lucky at this year’s showdown.
After failing to survive the group stage in Tunisia (1977), Japan (1979), the USSR (1985) and Malaysia (1997), the young Hungarians are determined to make a maiden appearance in the knockout stages this time round.
“Reaching the quarters or the semis would be a huge achievement for Hungary. After all, we’ve not been at the finals for a very long time now,” coach Sandor Egervari tells Fifa.com.
The 59-year-old took over from Dutch boss Wilco van Buuren in mid-August, leaving just a few short weeks to prepare for the tournament in North Africa.
“Despite the lack of time, we’re aiming to piece together a strong team. Some of my players have a little experience from the U-17 and U-19 European championships, but we still have a great deal to do.”
The extremely brief preparation period could pose a threat to the dream of making the last eight.
“I don’t have a lot of information about our group opponents UAE, South Africa and Honduras. All three come with their own footballing culture and style,” Egervari observed.
The newly-installed coach, whose side is up against Amajita on September 30, sees neither his own team nor any of their group rivals in the role of favourites.
Alongside Brazil, he reckons European trio Spain, Italy and Germany are the most likely to make the semifinals.
“But there are surprises at every tournament,” he noted.
His own side may be good for just such an upset. The balance and harmony in the team is their greatest asset.
“The core of the team has been together since the players were 15, and they've been very successful.”
It is conceivable that a clutch of the Hungary Under-20 squad will be returning to Africa fairly soon, as the senior national side is well-placed to claim a berth at the 2010 World Cup.
That, surely, would be the ultimate incentive and motivating factor.
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