Keith Webb: Fourteen was good, but we can still improve

Despite firing 14 past Japan England CP boss Keith Webb insisted there is still room for improvement – as sterner tests await.

The Three Lions opened the 2015 Cerebral Palsy World Championships – which are taking place at St. George’s Park until 28 June – with a resounding victory.

However, Webb refused to call it a perfect performance and said, in football, you can always get better.

“If I was a school teacher and that was an assignment, I would probably rate that first performance as a B+,” he told TheFA.com.

“There were some good points and I thought our finishing was really clinical. 

"It’s something we’ve been working on in the camp for a week now. I was just trying to stress to them that you haven’t got to break the net.

“But there are one or two little things that I would want to put right. As a coach you’re never going to have that perfect game. 

“You always want to be adding things to your game – as well as recognising the things we’ve done well.”

England were paired alongside Iran, Ukraine and Japan in Group A of the tournament.

Emyle Rudder takes on a Japan defender

With four groups of four, a place in the quarter-finals is assured for the top two in each group.

However, due to unforeseen problems with their visas, Iran were forced to withdraw from the tournament and England’s group became a three-horse race.

And as the comprehensive victory against Japan effectively booked their spot in the knockout phase, due to a stipulation in tournament rules the margin of victory also gave England an upper hand.

“The good thing now is that we can’t be overtaken by Ukraine on goal difference,” added Webb. “That’s something that could be very important.

“The rules of the tournament state that once you go past 10 the goal difference stays the same. You could win 45-0 and you would still only be on +10.

“It means we’ve put a bit of pressure on them [Ukraine] and we can go out without any fear whatsoever.”

England captain Jack Rutter netted a double hat-trick in the rout of Japan

Ukraine – ranked in the top two in the world – take on Japan on Thursday. 

England have to wait until Saturday before playing again – when they face Ukraine in a game that is likely to decide the group winners. 

With world champions and tournament favourites Russia awaiting the runners-up, the game takes on added significance. 

And Webb warned that his players will face a much tougher test than in their first outing.

“Ukraine will on a different level," added Webb. "They will be much better on the ball.

“They’ll be more disciplined, their shape will be better and their technical ability will be that much higher. 

"The fitness levels will be vastly different [to Japan’s] as well.”

And speaking at the end of a first day that registered 25 goals in three games – and saw broadcast trucks from three major national outlets at St. George's Park - the England boss admitted he was pleased with how the day had gone. 

“It’s been a fantastic start to the competition,” he said. 

“It’s been advertised really well and I think the players have been fine examples. 

"It’s really good to see the players are getting a little bit of limelight they so richly deserve. 

"I think the characters in this team can set a fine example, and inspire a lot of people too. Which is what it's all about.”