T&T Under-20 footballers will try to make the most of the opportunity to test their readiness for the upcoming Fifa Under 20 World Championship when they square off with Australia's Under-20 team in a practice match today at the Ayia Napa ground, from 5 pm (10 am T&T time).
The game will provide both teams with the chance to tune up for the upcoming games in Egypt with T&T taking on the hosts on September 24 in Alexandria and Australia playing the Czech Republic three days later.
Australia is also grouped with Costa Rica and Brazil.
"The game will be a good test for us because any team who has qualified for the World Cup like we have, will be coming with their best team to get ready for the tournament at this stage of the preparations," said T&T head coach Zoran Vranes.
"Of course we expect the game to be a tough one because Australia will be a strong team, but this is the type of game we want right now to see exactly where we are in terms of our preparations. The guys are really looking forward to Egypt and they all want the opportunity to step on to that playing field," he said.
For today's game, Australia's coach Jan Versleijen will choose his starting team from his final 21-man squad, which includes three players with senior national team experience in Adelaide United defender Daniel Mullen, AZ Alkmaar midfielder James Holland and Brisbane Roar forward Mitch Nichols. The squad also features 15 domestic-based players and six from overseas clubs, including Liverpool reserve team goalkeeper Dean Bouzanis.
Sydney FC defender Sam Munro, defender Ryan McGowan of Scottish club Hearts, Aston Villa defender Chris Herd and Bolton Wanderers forward Aaron Mooy are also in the Aussies squad.
Versleijen said: "We have experienced a variety of oppositions in different conditions and locations during the development of our players. Our recent tours to Europe and South America have also given us valuable experience against the similar type of opposition that we will face at the World Cup."