The England Cerebral Palsy secured the 9th International Trophy of 7-aside Football in Barcelona with a hard-fought display in their final game against the USA to take the title on goal difference from America.
Having faced the same opponents back in February, this was a contest of familiarity for the players and the opening minutes of the game were tight and tense with the majority of the play taking place in the midfield third.
There was no quarter given as both sides attempted to assert their dominance and although Alex Mullin was unable to finish following some good play by Alistair Patrick-Heselton.
England 1-1 USA
International Trophy
Barcelona, Spain
Sunday 8 June 2014
England were able to make the breakthrough in the last minute of the first half as the ball broke free following a sliced clearance, and Mullin was able to slot home to give England the lead heading into the break.
The second half was a more measured display by England as they looked to find a second goal that would have created a more comfortable cushion for them.
It was America, however, who brought themselves back into the game as England failed to defend a long-throw and the American striker nipped in at the back post to level the game.
Thereafter, England found their rhythm again and looked to keep possession, attempting to tire their opponents out in the Barcelona heat.
James Blackwell was unfortunate to see his free-kick hit the post from a free-kick but in the end, the final whistle went soon after to confirm England as the winners of the tournament.
Alex Mullin was named as the Player of the Tournament to cap a successful tournament for the squad and continue the momentum, form and results the squad have been building over recent months leading up to next month’s European Championships in Portugal.
England: G. Moore, M. Sinclair (c), E. Rudder, G. Fletcher (R. Fox), J. Blackwell, A. Mullin, A. Patrick-Heselton
Goals: A. Mullin (29)
England squad: G. Moore, Richard Kay, M. Sinclair, A. Mullin, A. Patrick-Heselton, J. Brown, M. Fletcher, E. Rudder, G. Fletcher, J. Blackwell, R. Fox, Ryan Kay
England staff: Jeff Davis, Vinnie Dunne, Osman Ahmed, Ayser Hussain, Rory Felton, Jon Whittingham
