FIFA U-17 World Cup: ‘England DNA’ yields positive results, future bright for 20, 17 champions

The Poms preferred chicken on their dinner menu. Senior national team coach Gareth Southgate’s congratulatory message was read out. Messages flowed from former greats as well. “All national coaches (congratulated us). Gareth Southgate’s been on (the tournament). A lot of senior management team has been watching the games as well. So everybody is really pleased.”

Cooper, however, reminded the boys that the World Cup glory was just a step towards what they want to become. “There’s been quite a bit on social media with David Beckham, and first-team England players. There have been loads of messages on social media from back home. I’m just really pleased with what we have done. Nobody is going to get carried away. We have still got a long way to go with these boys, but it’s important you enjoy it.”

The ‘England DNA’, launched three years ago, has started to yield positive results. Two World Cups — U-20 and U-17 – and a European Championship triumph (U-19) confirm the project’s success. Little wonder then that after the match on Saturday, Cooper chose to dedicate the win to the “good work” that the English football establishment has been doing.

“This trophy is dedicated to the good work that is being done in England. The academies and (the way) the young players are being developed. These players have been in the system four-five years now and have been on a journey where a lot of work has gone into them from different coaches,” Cooper stated.

After conceding two goals, England raised their game to such a level that Spain were taken to the cleaners. More importantly, the Young Lions beat their rivals at their own game. Hardly a long ball was played. It was just passes, passes and more passes, and getting into dangerous areas. Cooper had his own interpretation on this. “We beat Spain, playing our own game. We thought this is how we want to play. England teams will typify that. So if it’s similar to the Spanish game, it’s great that they have been successful, but this is us doing our thing our way.”

The half-time team talk from the head coach was positive. Cooper just asked his players to bring in a little more cutting edge.

Back in England, the buzz, however, is about unearthing a new golden generation. But to build on this, the young players need regular game time in club football. There’s good news for the Under-17 World Cup Golden Ball winner Phil Foden from his Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola. After the Premier League fixture at West Brom on Saturday, Guardiola’s enquired about the Under-17 World Cup final result and Foden’s performance. Two goals from his ward impressed the great manager, who “vowed” to give the youngster a first-team debut.

As Guardiola said, “these guys will grow”. Foden, Rhian Brewster, Callum Hudson-Odoi and all their team mates… A golden generation has arrived with the potential to carry forward the success to the senior level.

Efforts go beyond result
Despite being heartbroken after their shocking loss to England, Spain coach Santiago Denia said that the effort put in by his players is beyond the result of the match.

“I’m very proud of them and the work we have done in the past three years. Our efforts go beyond the result of the final. We have accomplished as a team. We are the runners up, we are Euro champions. I am proud of that,” Denia said at the post-match news conference at the Salt Lake Stadium.

“To be honest, I’m heartbroken because of the boys. This was final and the level was expected to be high. My job as a coach was to create a strong group and we did that. I’m very proud of that,” he said.

Admitting that England have excellent technical players, the Spanish coach said: “We had prepared a plan to curb England’s wingplay by deploying the left and right back with the midfielders to help them. As you guys saw, they (England) have very good technical players who can play inside. (with inputs from PTI)