In an action packed week which included U17 World Cup Games, Youth To Pro Games and U19 Euro Qualifying, I reported on all England Youth games over the course of this week and here's what I had to say. All of my work on the teams is on my X account @ EnglandAcad.
GAME 1: U17 World Cup Group Game 3
Egypt U17s 0-3 England U17s
Reigan Heskey 14,55', Harrison Miles 90'
England came into this fixture with a must win mindset coming off the back of a 3-0 defeat to Venezuela in Game 1, then an 8-1 win over Haiti in Game 2. England knew the task at hand, could they pull it off? Yes, Yes they could. With England starting the day 3rd and Egypt 1st, this was the decider. Win and you are in the Round Of 32, lose, and you are on the plane home.
After multiple fouls being thrown around, it would be England who would break the deadlock through Reigan Heskey who beat two defenders and fired his effort underneath the Egypt GK. After a very midfield dictating half, England sealed the deal in the 55th minute through Heskey again who met Luca Williams-Barnett's inch perfect through ball. Heskey netted again. With the game in their hands, England began to sit back and allow Egypt to attack at them. England would then counter attack Egypt in the 90th minute, which saw Harrison Miles score a fantastic solo effort to send England to the Round Of 32. Job Done.
GAME 2: UEFA U19 EURO QUALIFIER GAME 1:
England U19s 2-0 Lithuania U19s
Shumaira Mheuka 16,47'
With a disappointing summer in the U19 Euros for England, the Young Lions were determined to come back with a bang. After a 4-2 defeat to The Netherlands, 5-5 draw with Germany and a 2-2 with Norway, it was evident England needed something else. Facing the hosts first, England Needed a good start. England had the strength of Max Dowman, Rio Ngumoha and Jeremy Monga who'd been moved up from the U17s and U16s respectively this time.
England took the lead in the 16th minute through Chelsea's Shumaira Mheuka who calmly slotted his penalty into the bottom left corner. At the halfway point, England had the lead. In the 47th minute, Mheuka would extend this lead further. After some neat footwork down the left wing, Liverpool's Rio Ngumoha fired a ball across the box in which was met by Mheuka. England would see out the 2-0 lead and get 3 points on the board.
GAME 3: YOUTH TO PRO DUBAI TOURNAMENT GAME 1
England U17s 5-2 USA U17s
Kyran Thompson 65' , Brian Madjo 70', Mathis Eboue 61,82,84'
Two Weeks ago, England U17s (2009 Born), took on the UEFA U17 Euro Qualifying and were unfortunately grouped in the first stage. Losing to Scotland, Sweden and Lithuania in what was a very disappointing exit after being dubbed as one of the best teams there.
Fast Forward to this week, where England would take on the Youth To Pro Dubai Tournament, where they would face USA, Ivory Coast and Australia. First they would face The USA. A very talented side who England would have to move first if they wanted to win it. At 45, England found themselves 2-0 down to The USA after two goals from Philadelphia Union striker Malik Jakupovic. England would then pull one back through Mathis Eboue. Then a fantastic edge of the box strike from Arsenal's Kyran Thompson brought us level. We then hit the front through FC Metz striker Brian Madjo who converted his penalty. Mathis Eboue then gave us a 4th and then a 5th to complete his hat trick and give us all 3 points!
GAME 4: U20 INTERNATIONAL FRIENDLY
England U20s 1-1 Japan U20s
Shea Lacey 77'
Coming off the back of a defeat at St George's Park Vs Switzerland, England were seeking a victory in South Yorkshire at the home of Doncaster Rovers, Eco-Power Stadium. England hadn't won for 4 games leading up to this fixture. England had also recently lost to Italy U20s at Chesterfield losing 2-1 with Jayden Danns of Liverpool finding the net. After a boring first half, it took 77 minutes before a goal was scored. Manchester United starlet Shea Lacey gave England the lead. The 18 year old fired a lovely strike into the bottom left corner. Before England suffered late heartbreak as Lacey's strike was cancelled out by 93rd minute equaliser from Hisatsugu Ishii.
GAME 5: UEFA U21 EURO QUALIFIER
England U21s 2-0 Republic Of Ireland U21s
Divin Mubama 60', Tyrique George 90+1'
Before this fixture at St Andrews, England had won 3/3 in the first 3 qualifier games. Defeating Andorra, Moldova and Kazakhstan on the way. Ireland fought hard in the first half with Liverpool's Trent Kone-Doherty running the game from the wing. In the 60th minute, England finally found the net through a penalty from Divin Mubama who had missed a penalty in the first half. After tearing Ireland apart all game, Tyrique George added a second in the 91st minute as he skipped past his man and rifled his effort into the roof of the net. Onto Slovakia On Tuesday!
GAME 6: UEFA U19 EURO QUALIFIER GAME 2:
England U19s 7-0 Latvia U19s
Rio Ngumoha 2', Chris Rigg 40', Divine Mukasa 11,73', Jesse Derry 23,53,62'
After picking up 3 points Vs Lithuania in Game 1, England would play Latvia in Game 2 and would cause absolute carnage. England would take the lead after 2 minutes through a superb curling effort from Rio Ngumoha. England would go 2-0 up through Divine Mukasa. Jesse Derry would add a third from a tight angle. Chris Rigg's deflected effort made it 4. Jesse Derry would then score another two to complete his hat trick. Then Divine Mukasa would convert another penalty to make it 7! 9 goals scored in 2 games. Qualification Is Imminent.
Game 7: YOUTH TO PRO DUBAI TOURNAMENT GAME 2:
England U17s 1-1 Ivory Coast U17s
Calvin Diakite 54'
After a big win Vs USA, England were seeking another win Vs Ivory Coast. England took the lead in the 54th minute through Chelsea's Calvin Diakite before Ivory Coast's Kone Sekou Rayane cancelled out the opener.
GAME 8: U17 WORLD CUP ROUND OF 32
South Korea U17s 0-2 England U17s
Reigan Heskey 35', H. Jung OG 28'
After progressing to the Round Of 32 from the group stages, England would face South Korea in the next round. England would make a double quick start following an own goal from Jung and a Reigan Heskey bullet header. England would break away through Chizzy Ezenwata who was brought down when through on goal, no red. A spark of controversy occurred when Brad Burrowes' elbow hit a Korea players face during a shoulder barge, no red given. And just like that, we are in the Round Of 16.
