Daniel Agyei, a Ghanaian barricade

Daniel Agyei has already graduated swiftly from youth level to emerge as Ghana’s new second-choice goalkeeper. Two caps at either end of the 2010 CAF Africa Cup of Nations finals have allowed the 20-year-old to emerge as the future between the sticks for the Black Stars, particularly as first choice Richard Kingson is likely to call it quits after the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ finals in South Africa.

Kim Bo-Kyung, the multifunctional Warrior

Kim Bo-Kyung is an all-around midfielder who can deliver precise crosses from the left flank or dissect the opposition defence with inch-perfect through balls from the middle of the park.

After leading Hongik University to the Fall Championship in 2008, Kim went on to take part in the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Egypt the following year. There, he helped the little Taeguk Warriors reach the quarter-finals with his two goals against the USA and Paraguay, although he could not feature in the last eight encounter with eventual champions Ghana due to suspension.

Switzerland's secret weapon-Xherdan Shaqiri

Despite his reputation as one of the rising stars of Swiss football, Xherdan Shaqiri was very much a surprise inclusion in coach Ottmar Hitzfeld’s squad for the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™.

The diminutive 18-year-old was born in Gnjilane, Kosovo, but has been playing his football in Switzerland since 1999. In 2001, he switched from Augst to Basel, where he came through the youth ranks before eventually turning pro.

Cameroon's big hope - Eric CHOUPO MOTING

Called up for the CAF Africa Cup of Nations in January, the rangy German-born striker was ultimately unable to travel due to administrative reasons. He will therefore be anxious to make up for lost time at the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™.

Born in Hamburg to a German mother and a Cameroonian father in 1989, Eric Choupo-Moting gained his grounding in the game at local club HSV, and after three years in the youth ranks made his Bundesliga debut in August 2007. With his burgeoning talent already obvious, he was selected to represent Germany at various youth levels.

Boudebouz out to spur Algeria

Ryad Boudebouz is an attacking midfielder who was born in the city of Colmar, France. He started out his professional football career in 2008 at the age of 18 with French side Sochaux.

He made his debut in the French League in October of 2008 against Nice, impressing fans only 1 month later by scoring his team's winning goal against Le Mans in their 2-1 victory.

Serbia's engine-room tower - Radosav PETROVIC

Radosav Petrovic may be one of the lesser-known members of the Serbian squad, but that is down to inexperience rather than talent. Coach Radomir Antic is one fan of the towering defensive midfielder who, at 20 years old, won his senior international debut last year.

Petrovic, who shares his birthplace, the small town of Ub, with Yugoslavia legend Dragan Djazic, started out at local side Jedinstvo in 2006, before joining Radnicki Obrenovac the following year.

Inkoom, a young influence

Samuel Inkoom is one of several players who have made a successful transition from Ghana’s U-20 world champion team to the ranks of the senior Black Stars. The Swiss-based defender played every match for Ghana at the recent CAF Africa Cup of Nations finals in Angola, where they surprised by reaching the final and pushing defending champions Egypt in a tight deciding game in Luanda before finishing as runners-up. Inkoom stepped in to showcase his talent in an injury hit side, proving a strong force in defence, mostly at full-back.

North Koreans' youngest Pak

 

Pak Sung-Hyok emerged as a surprise inclusion when he was named in Korea DPR's final squad for the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™ in preference to some of the Chollima’s established stars.

Pak, who turned 20 this May, remains a relatively unknown quantity even to those who have followed Korea DPR closely over recent years, with the youngster boasting precious little international experience. He missed out on the Chollima’s qualifying campaign for South Africa 2010 and was also conspicuous by his absence from the national B team which won February's AFC Challenge Cup.