KUALA LUMPUR. July 6: World Youth champions Argentina successfully defended their under-20 tl-

tie in Kuala Lumpur on Saturday. beating South American rivals Uruguay 2-1 in’a fiercely contested final, reports Reuter.

Argentina, the pre-touma-ment favourites, came from behind to lift the trophy for the third time and in doing so became the first team side to defend the title since Portugal in 1991.

Captain Roman Riquelme was presented the trophy by FIFA president Joao Havelange after both players and officials shed tears following the emotion-charged match.

Esteban Cambiasso levelled the score in the 24th minute. 10 minutes after the Uruguayans took the lead courtesy of a curling free kick by Pablo Garcia Perez.

A few minutes before halftime. Diego Quitana took Argentina to an unbeatable lead.

"It was a very tough game,'-' said Argentina coach Jose Nestor Pekerman. "Uruguay are a great team and this match was a classic but today we had the good fortune to win.

"We knew the game would be won in the midfield and that the team with the strongest midfield would have the advantage.

"We were able to strike back and hold on to our lead in the second half. We changed our tactics a little and we were able to control (Uruguayan strikers) Zalayeta and Olivera."

Pekerman, who also coached Argentina to victory in Qatar two years ago, added: "There Is nothing in the world like the satisfaction of winning a second World Championship. I'm very proud for my country and very humble that I could do it twice."

For Victor Pua, the coach for Uruguay, it was a day to rue missed opportunities.

"When you make two mistakes they can turn out to be expensive," he said, referring to Argentina's two goals.

This is part of football and the team which scores the most goals is the winner. We had the best of the first half and we were in the situation where we could have been leading 2-0 or 3-0".

Earlier, the Republic of Ireland took third place by beating Ghana 2-1.

CHAMPS SO FAR

1977: Soviet Union

1979: Argentina

1981: West Germany

1983: Brazil

1985: Brazil

1987: Yugoslavia

1989: Portugal

1991: Portugal

1993: Brazil

1995: Argentina

1997: Argentina