England opened their account at the 2019 World Grand Prix in Tokyo with a thrilling 4-3 win over Turkey at the Tennzou Stadium.
Jon Pugh’s side made a bright start and scored after five minutes through an angled strike by Dan English.
Turkey equalised ten minutes later, only for Dan English to score his second straight after to leave his side with a 2-1 lead at the break.
After seeing the Turks dominate the early stages of the second half, England were awarded a penalty after Azeem Amir was upended in the penalty area after some clever work out wide on the wing before he cut into the box.
English coolly stepped up to complete his hat-trick before Roy Turnham made it 4-1 with a scintillating dribble and shot in the 33rd minute.
Turkey pulled two goals back late in the game but the Para Lions saw the game out.
Head Coach Pugh, who gave international debuts to 16-year-old Rainbow Mbuyangi, 20-year-old Amir and 21-year-old goalkeeper Sam Marsden, commented after the game: “I am obviously disappointed to concede two late goals but I am delighted with the win.
“The young players did really well and were exposed to one of Europe’s better teams and hopefully this is another step in their development.
“Roy Turnham was outstanding as back man and captain Dan English was immense all around the pitch, the other players all played their part in this victory.”
England will now play Argentina at 11am (2am GMT) on Wednesday, after they completed a 4-1 victory against Thailand earlier in the day.
England: 13 Sam Marsden, 5 Dan English, 7 Brandon Coleman, 8 Rainbow Mbuangi, 9 Roy Turnham
Substitutes all played: 3 Owen Bainbridge, 4 Azeem Amir, 10 Darren Harris
