Aims and objectives
Nicholas Veevers in Ismailia
Friday, 25 September, 2009
Brian Eastick sets his side an initial World Cup target of the last 16.
England U20s Head Coach Brian Eastick has set his squad a target of at least the Second Round ahead of their World Cup opener with Uruguay this weekend.
The Young Lions play the first of their Group D games at the Ismailia Stadium on Saturday evening and the squad got their first experience of the stadium on Thursday evening when an open training session took place.
With Friday being the last day of preparation before Saturday’s match, Eastick believes his squad are capable of progressing through their group stage and that is the first aim.
"Our objective now is to try and get through the group stages and into the last 16,” said Eastick.
"There is a good team spirit and work ethic within the squad.
"We haven't been together for very long but the lads have bonded and we're looking to take that into the games.”
Eastick is not expecting an easy ride against the South Americans though, with Uruguay ranked as the fourth best team in FIFA U20 World Cup history.
"We've seen quite a lot of Uruguay and we think they're a very good side,” added Eastick.
"We will have to defend very well because they have some good individual players, so the key to the game will be how well we defend against the Uruguay forwards.
“But we're looking forward to the challenge and we'll try and make it as difficult as we can.”
The opening game of the tournament took place on Thursday night when hosts Egypt beat Trinidad & Tobago by 4-1 in Alexandria.