<<Print>>

Italy Under-20 were kept to a goalless draw by their young Paraguayan counterparts in the U-20 World Cup group stage. After the full house that witnessed Egypt's 4-1 victory over Trinidad & Tobago the previous night, a virtually empty Cairo International Stadium cut a strange setting for a youth international match. Goal.com's staff at the stadium indicated that just 200 paying supporters had arranged in Cairo, accompanied by Egyptian military guests. But on the pitch, the young Azzurri side, despite having the better start, ended up on the back foot, with the Paraguayans perhaps feeling somewhat unlucky not to have scored. Italy had the best of the opening stages and in fact could have had a penalty awarded in the 18th minute, but the good play of the likes of Mazzaranni failed to result in an early goal. But Paraguay quickly began to threaten through Lorenzo Melgarejo, and the half closed with Jorge Moreira stinging the gloves of Vincenzo Fiorillo with an excellent long-range effort. The Albirroja came out determined after the second period and should have taken the lead six minutes after the restart, but Federico Santander wasted an excellent one-on-one chance as the Italian defence was caught napping. Indeed, while the Azzurri rode their luck with another late chance for Melgarejo, the match ended goalless, meaning that Egypt remain top of the group on three points, while Paraguay and Italy sit one point ahead of basement boys Trinidad & Tobago. On Monday Italy face T&T while the hosts Egypt welcome Paraguay for the night game.