Aidy Boothroyd says that despite an impressive victory against Mexico his England Under-20s still have plenty of work to do.
The Young Lions took on a highly-rated young Mexico side at The Hive, and came through victorious after a 4-2 penalty shootout win.
That came after a hard-fought draw in which Chuba Akpom cancelled out Jose Ramirez’s opener with a 79th-minute penalty – and although ending the game on a high the U20s boss said his side cannot rest on their laurels.
England 1-1 Mexico
England win 4-2 on penalties
Under-20s International
Wednesday 25 March
The Hive, Barnet
“It’s nice to get in a winning habit and to be able to practice penalties,” he said after the 1-1 draw in north London.
“They were much better than us in the first half. In the second half we were better and we offered a much more attacking threat.
“I told them afterwards that they’ve got a lot of work to do as a group.
“We didn’t show what we’re all about as a group or as individuals. Only in little flashes I thought. “
After Akpom’s equaliser Boothroyd’s side pushed hard for a winner, and might have found one had the Arsenal striker’s effort in the closing stages not bounced back off the post.
The manager praised his team's reaction to falling a goal behind.
“At the end of the game I thought there was only one team that was going to win it,” added Boothroyd.
Callum Robinson of England U20âs battles with Sergio Adrian Flores Reyes
“We had real momentum and had they belief and trust in each other – and that’s massive in sport.
“It took a bit of a bloody nose for us to respond, but we did and we did well. That’s a great habit to get into.”
In the end the game was decided on penalty kicks, with England prevailing thanks to successful strikes from Akpom, John Swift, Matty Grimes and the winning spot-kick from Callum Robinson.
“I knew that if I missed it would be running round in my head”
Callum Robinson who scored the winning penalty for England
And speaking after the game, Robinson revealed that despite being a friendly in name he still felt the pressure as he was walking up to the spot.
“There was still a little bit of nerves walking up because you think you just want to put it away,” said the Aston Villa forward, who is on loan at Preston North End.
“On a personal level, and as a professional, you just want to put it away.
“I knew that if I missed it would be running round in my head.
"But I was able to put it away and luckily enough it was the winning one.”
Next up for the Young Lions is a game against USA in Plymouth on Sunday 29 March.
Tickets for the game are still available and are priced at £3 adults and £1.50 concessions.
Click here for more information.
