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FIFA U-20 World Cup draw Gambia face Portugal, others

The Gambia, who finished 3rd at the African U-20 Championship in Congo earlier this year, are scheduled to play their opening match on July 2, against Mexico to be followed up with the second encounter on July 5, against New Zealand – both matches to be played in Toronto. The Darling Scorpions will finish up their group fixtures with a final group tie against Portugal on July 8, in Montreal.

 "We are a team that is well composed and capable of beating any team.  So no big name is a threat to us.  There is a lot of talk about big names in soccer but if you are well prepared- physically, mentally and tactically, nothing should worry you and we are ready for this competition," GFA President, Mr Seedy Kinteh told Observer Sports  shortly after the official draw in Toronto.

The grand opening match of the tournament will be played on June 1 between host, Canada and Chile.

The two top teams from each of the six seeded groups – and best of four of the remaining bottom teams will automatically qualify for the round of sixteen to be played between July 11 and July 12.

Fifty-two matches in all will be  played in the tournament with the grand final taking place on July 22, in Toronto. 

Though there are few opinions on which of the pools is the group-of-death, many pundits believe Poland, Brazil, Korea Republic and USA all in Group D is a tough group.

Argentina, Czech Republic, Korea DPR and Panama in Group E is also regarded as another tough grouping.

The Gambia was represented at the Canada mouth-watering draw by Seedy Kinteh and Kemo Ceesay, The President and  Accountant of The Gambia Football Association, respectively.

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The full groupings

Group A (Toronto, Edmonton):

Canada

Chile

Congo

Austria

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Group B (Burnaby, Victoria):

Spain

Uruguay

Jordan

Zambia

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Group C (Toronto, Montreal, Edmonton):

Portugal

New Zealand

Gambia

Mexico

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Group D (Montreal, Ottawa):

Poland

Brazil

Korea Republic

USA

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Group E (Ottawa, Montreal):

Argentina

Czech Republic

Korea DPR

Panama

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Group F (Victoria, Burnaby):

Japan

Scotland

Nigeria

Costa Rica