England thrive in Algarve event
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
Article summary
Last season's runners-up England continue to look candidates to go one better after clinching first place in the Algarve Tournament ahead of France, Denmark and Portugal.
Article body
Last season's UEFA European Under-17 Championship runners-up England continue to look candidates to go one better after clinching first place in the prestigious Algarve Tournament today.
England top group
Having defeated Denmark 3-0 on Saturday and beaten France 2-0 some 24 hours later, England only needed a draw against hosts Portugal in Silves to end a run of three second places in four years. A repeat of their 0-0 draw against the same opponents in this season's European U17 Championship qualifying round ensured they achieved their goal – to the credit of a squad containing none of the players that took part in the finals in Belgium last May.
Matches
Having got through their qualifying round group in October without conceding, England were in confident mood and Ryan Donaldson, Matthew Briggs and Dean Parrett helped them cruise to victory against Denmark, while France beat Portugal 2-1. However, Les Mini-Bleus came unstuck when they met England in Portimao, Jacob Mellis and Donaldson striking in the first half. Denmark revived their campaign with a 2-1 success against Portugal, but were then pipped to second place with a 4-2 loss to France in a game they led twice before decisive late goals from Yannis Sallibur and Clement Grenier.
Elite round
England are now unbeaten in ten matches, with their defence unbreached in seven, including all six since John Peacock took charge of this squad after leading last season's side in the FIFA U-17 World Cup. Peacock said: "I'm delighted to have won the group and stayed undefeated. I am even more delighted that we've played six games and have six clean sheets. Now we look forward to a difficult Elite Round tournament in Israel next month." England's opening opponents in Group 3 on 25 March will be France, with 2006 champions Russia also involved alongside Israel. Denmark tackle Belgium, Switzerland and Croatia in Group 2 while Portugal are up against Germany, Greece and Republic of Ireland in Group 1, with only the pool winners progressing to May's European finals in Turkey.