Match report: England MU18s 3-2 Sweden
England’s men under 18 defeated Sweden 3-2 at the Marbella Football Center on Friday afternoon.
Isaac Mabaya’s goal and a Swedish own goal – each side of a fine penalty save from goalkeeper James Beadle – meant that Young Lions led for most of the competition.
And Divin Mubama’s goal in the second half almost ensured victory in their initial match of the camp in Spain, with a match against Denmark following on Monday.
After a slightly nervous opening for five minutes, England came into the match and got more ball possession.
Ryan Garry’s team opened the scoring in 18 minutes when a good combination on the left side between Darko Gyabi and Lewis Hall saw Chelsea’s winger cut the ball back. The first attempt was blocked but then Liverpool’s Mabaya fired a low shot to hit the goalkeeper.
Sweden had the chance to equalize in the middle of the half when Liverpool defender Terence Miles was judged to have stumbled her husband after backing into the box and a penalty was awarded. But Captain Wilgot Marshage’s attempt on James Beadle’s right side was met by a strong hand from Brighton & Hove Albion’s stopper.
England then extended their advantage when Sweden gave up the ball in midfield and a quick counter Darko Gyabi looked to put up Cannonier with a sharp cut and the ball was deflected into the net by a Swedish defender.
Sweden pulled back a goal 11 minutes into the second half when sloppy marking allowed Casper Eklund to score with a header.
The Young Lions regained their two-goal lead with just over a quarter left when West Ham United’s Divin Mubama robbed the opponent of possession and fired in a low shot.
Sweden set up a tense end when Shakur Omar scored from a return with one minute left of regular time, after a fine save by Beadle, but England held on for the victory.
England: 1 James Beadle (Brighton & Hove Albion), 2 Reuell Walters (Arsenal), 3 Lewis Hall (Chelsea), 4 Charlie Webster (Chelsea), 5 Terence Miles (Liverpool), 6 Lee Jonas (Liverpool) ©, 7 Isaac Mabaya ( Liverpool), 8 Darko Gyabi (Manchester City), 9 Oakley Cannonier (Liverpool), 10 Jack Wells-Morrison (Crystal Palace), 11 Divin Mubama (West Ham United)
Substitute: 17 George Hall (Birmingham City) for Webster 65, 19 Jamie Bynoe-Gittens (Borussia Dortmund) for Cannonier 65, 20 Sam Mather (Manchester United) for Wells-Morrison 80, 21 Sonny Perkins (West Ham United) for Mubama 80, 14 Sammy Braybrooke (Leicester City) for Gyabi 90, 23 Zak Sturge (Brighton & Hove Albion) for Hall 90
Unused substitutes: 12 Rico Lewis (Manchester City), 13 Tommy Simkin (Stoke City), 15 Ben Nelson (Leicester City), 16 Elijah Campbell (Everton), 18 Daniel Gore (Manchester United), 22 Max Thompson (Newcastle United)
Goal: Isaac Mabaya 18, Oakley Cannonier 34, Divin Mubama 74
Head coach: Ryan Garry