England U20s 2-0 USA U20s: Young Lions win Four Nations tournament
Tuesday 11 October 2016 11:03, UK
England U20s won the Four Nations tournament on Monday as two late goals secured a 2-0 victory over USA U20s in Rochdale.
Having already recorded wins over the Netherlands and Germany, Paul Williams' team made it three victories from three thanks to strikes from Liverpool's Ovie Ejaria and Chelsea's Dominic Solanke.
USA goalkeeper Jonathan Klinsmann, son of senior team head coach Jurgen, had kept his side in the game with a string of fine second-half saves, while Arsenal midfielder Gedion Zelalem remained a thorn in England's side.
But Ejaria's first goal for the Young Lions put England ahead on 84 minutes, and Solanke added a penalty in stoppage time to wrap up the victory.
Coach Williams told the FA's website: "I'm pleased for the players. It's good that people recognise how good they are and they've won the tournament which is very, very pleasing.
"I've learnt lots about the players through the entire camp. I know sometimes the crowd get frustrated with playing out but at this age you've got to develop and learn. The players need to come up with solutions.
"It might look a bit slow and lumbered at times but they have to learn to get out of situations because when we go to the World Cup, we'll have different scenarios that the coach can't always solve for the players.
"I believe in these players. They are an outstanding, talented group. If they play to their potential and to their level then we'll go further into the competition."
England have already qualified for the 2017 FIFA U20 World Cup, which gets under way in South Korea in May.
