To see today's training session...

The coach is impressed with the group he is working with and has hailed their willingness to fight to the last. The challenge now for the youngsters is to see how they shape up against the very best young talent from other countries.  

Versleijen and the players head for a warm up tournament in Argentina tomorrow and enjoyed a final training session in balmy weather at Leichhardt Oval in Sydney this morning.  

Speaking after the session, the coach said the Copa Ciudad de Rosario in Argentina was a vital part of preparations for the World Cup, especially with the Young Socceroos having to face both Brazil and Costa Rica in their group.  

The biggest 'plus' for Versleijen ahead of the World Cup is to have so many members of his squad playing first team football in the A-League. His squad includes the likes of Tahj Minniecon, Mitch Nichols, Matthew Jurman and Luke De Vere - all part of the starting XI at their clubs.  

"(That is) our biggest gain," he said. "When we started our campaign for the World Cup one or two were playing sometimes in the A-League, now some are already regular members so it is a big gain.

"A big help for the World Cup but the World Cup is a different level. You are facing the best teams in the world so you can expect some fireworks over there."  

The coach knows the strengths and weaknesses of his squad and while hailing their progression, admits there is still plenty of work still to be done.  

"They never give up," he said. "That's why it is really fantastic to work with Australian teams. They work until the last minute.  

"If you look at the difference between our boys and the other teams we still have technically to catch up a little bit more, the basic techniques we still have to work on more, if you compare them with South American or European teams.

  "The work on the ball has to be better."

The coach has stressed the importance of regular football to all his players and believes a combination of international and club commitments can be a win-win situation.  

Versleijen pointed to Brisbane Roar's Mitch Nichols as a good example. He said Nichols had been outside the starting XI for his club during the initial Young Socceroos qualifying matches but had come back from those games and forced himself into Frank Farina's plans.   The Young Socceroos boss also picked out  Luke De Vere, James Holland, Daniel Mullen and Tommy Oar as players who had caught the eye.  

"In this age group I think we have some promising players," he said. Representing your country at the Under 20 World Cup is a tremendous honour but the challenge for this Australian group is to make sure this doesn't prove the pinnacle of their career.

Versleijen believes the World Cup is the perfect test to see if players who appear to be improving in a training environment have a chance to really cut it at the very top of the game.  

He added: "The only way to know if you are getting better is to get exposed against higher level teams.

"The World Youth Cup is very important for their development. I told them many times the moment you start playing at this level, this will be the next step in your career, either you make the step or you cannot make the step.

"For them it is very important for career and their club and also maybe for an international career."

Once the World Cup gets underway in Egypt, Versleijen says there is a desire to progress beyond the group stage: "That's really our expectations, to get to the next round. It's not easy but you can expect some fireworks."  

The FIFA U-20 World Cup Egypt 2009 will be played from 24 September to 16 October. The Young Socceroos have been drawn in Group E for the FIFA U-20 World Cup Egypt 2009, alongside Brazil, Costa Rica and the Czech Republic. 

The full squad is:

Isaka Cernak Okanya (Brisbane Roar), Alex Cisak (Leicester City, UK), Peter Cvetanovski (Borussia Moenchengladbach, Germany), Kofi Danning (Sydney FC), Luke DeVere (Brisbane Roar), Nathan Elasi (Melbourne Victory), Antony Golec (Sydney FC), Jason Hoffman (Newcastle Jets), Matthew Jurman (Sydney FC), Osama Malik (North Queensland Fury), Tahj Minniecon (Gold Coast United), Aaron Mooy (Bolton Wanderers, UK), Sam Munro (Sydney FC), Jason Naidovski (Newcastle Jets), Mitch Nichols (Brisbane Roar), Chris Payne (Sydney FC), Andrew Redmayne (Central Coast Mariners), Nikola Stanojevic (AIS), Nik Tsattalios (Newcastle Jets), Rocco Visconte (Hearts FC, Scotland).

To see today's training session...