By Tim Vickery BBC Sport Online

When Diego Forlan hit his injury time winner against Chelsea I was watching the game in the land of his birth.

The South American Under-20 Championship is currently taking place in Uruguay.

On Saturday morning I was in the press centre in Maldonado when Forlan struck, and the locals bathed in reflected glory.

The Manchester United striker is a product of the South American Under-20 Championship.

He gained valuable international experience when he played in the tournament held in Argentina four years ago - and many of his team-mates from 1999 have also gone on to make their mark.

His strike partner Chevanton has gone on to win senior caps, has scored plenty of goals for Lecce in Italy and was very unlucky not to go to the World Cup.

Maybe in a few years someone on the field in Maldonado will, like Forlan, be making his own mark in the Premier League

Commanding centre-back Sorondo did make it to South Korea and has also earned a move to Inter Milan.

And then there is Carini, the oustanding young goalkeeper who did so much to make sure Uruguay qualified for their first World Cup in 12 years.

Indeed, the bulk of Uruguay's senior side came up through the ranks from the Under-20 teams of 1997 and 1999 - which illustrates the importance of the tournament currently taking place in Montevideo and Maldonado.

Firstly, the South American Under-20 Championship is a chance to assess teams.

The top four countries go through to the World Youth Cup, which more often than not is won by a South American team.

Then there is the opportunity to pick out individuals. The stars of this tournament could well go on to be outstanding players for the next decade of world football.

The consensus so far is that the standard this year is lower than in recent tournaments. Even so, there is still enough talent on the field to fill the notebook of a journalist - or an agent.

Brazil have comfortably been the best side so far. As with many recent Brazilian sides they are in magnificent physical condition.

Ronaldinho also played in the Under-20 Championship

During the first round they won all four games without conceding a goal, with too much speed, power, skill and movement for their opponents.

Pick of the bunch have been left-footed striker Daniel Carvalho and awesomely strong central midfielder Dudu.

But the team showed its mettle when both were sent off in the first half in their opening game of the second round against Paraguay.

The remaining nine men held on in style for a 1-1 draw.

But the absence through suspension of the two top players adds spice to Monday night's game against Colombia, the second most impressive side in the field.

The Colombians have surprised with their method of play. Much more direct than their custom, they defend deep and base their game on rapid counter-attacks.

And they appear to have unearthed a gem of their own in midfielder Avilimed Rivas, who looks as impressive as anyone in the tournament.

So Brazil versus Colombia is Monday night�s thriller in the South American Under-20 Championship.

And maybe in a few years someone on the field in Maldonado will, like Forlan, be making his own mark in the Premier League.

Or, like fellow 1999 graduate Ronaldinho Gaucho, will be making his mark in the World Cup.