The Young Lions had to overcome a sending-off and some harsh treatment by the Selecao during Sunday’s 2-2 draw – but after registering their first point of the competition the West Ham defender is “pumped” as he and his team-mates look to end their time in Florida with a victory.
“It was important to bounce back and we wanted to do that,” he told TheFA.com. “Losing 3-1 to USA after losing 5-1 to them last year, we were disappointed and needed to come back. And it was a great game to bounce back on.
Australia v England
Nike U17 International Tournament
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“We got a point, but we want to finish well and get a victory under our belts at this tournament.
“We want to set the tempo from the start against Australia, we need to, and hopefully we can fire a few goals in and get the win.”
Looking back at the Brazil clash, the 15-year-old Young Lions skipper was quick to praise the determination of his team-mates – and he reserved special praise for the goalscorers Layton Ndukwu and Phillips.
“Yeah the adrenaline is still pumping,” said Oxford. “I was just happy for the team. Before the corner there had been a lot of scrapping and niggling in the middle and Adam just took it into his own hands to do his own set-piece and he’s scored it.
“It was pretty hard to keep our temper, there was a lot of baiting going on the pitch and from their bench, and they were trying to get into our heads.
"We had to keep calm, and even though we had a player sent off, we did that.“
He continued: “I just tried to keep on talking to everyone and get everyone communicating as a team.
“As a unit we did what we had to do, getting blocks and tackles in until those few minutes with the sending-off and the goals.
"When that happened I thought it was late in the game and a man down, everyone thought that would probably be it, but not us players and we knuckled down and got our goal.”
And on Leicester City striker Ndukwu, who scored the opener against the Brazilians to follow on from his hat-trick against Cyprus two months ago, Oxford added: “Marcus Edwards played it to Daniel Wright, and he gave a little assist for Layton to bury it.
“He’s been doing pretty good for us to say he isn’t even a striker.
“He usually plays left wing, but he’s been up front for us and doing a job – so that’s great for us and he’s getting us goals.”
