England U20s to face Germany, USA and the Netherlands

Friday 16 Sep 2016
England U20s

England will host Germany, USA and the Netherlands in a four-nation Under-20 tournament in October.

Matches will take place on Wednesday 5 October, Friday 7 October and Monday 10 October at a range of venues in Greater Manchester as well as one in Huddersfield.

The tournament will serve as further preparation for the FIFA U20 World Cup 2017, which takes place in South Korea during next May and June.

England Under-20s head coach Aidy Boothroyd

Aidy Boothroyd will be taking his team back to his own hometown of Huddersfield in October

Aidy Boothroyd’s Young Lions have already qualified for the tournament, as have Germany, while the USA will hope to seal their place when the CONCACAF U20 Championship takes place next spring.

And Boothroyd, whose players began their World Cup build-up with a double-header against Brazil earlier this month, said: "By the end of this tournament, we’ll have played two events and against opposition from South America, North America and Europe and all of them are strong nations.

"We want to pit our wits against the best, we know the Germans and Dutch are always very strong and the Americans are an emerging nation in football who have done really well at youth level in recent years.

"We’ve picked some good strong teams and we’re playing in a real football hotbed, so we’re looking forward to seeing some people come out and support us and have a look at one or two other countries."

Bradford-born Boothroyd is looking forward to the Germany fixture in particular, having started his career as a trainee with Huddersfield Town back in 1989. 

And with the Terriers enjoying an impressive start to the new Championship campaign under German boss David Wagner, Boothroyd is hoping that momentum can be maintained at the West Yorkshire club. 

"I began my career at Huddersfield Town and it was a long time ago now, but I am looking forward to going back there," he admits.

England Under-20s

England Under-20s striker Adam Armstrong battles with Brazil captain Lyanco during their game in September

 

"I’ve got happy memories of being there as a player, between 16 and 19, learning my trade and what it was like to be a professional footballer.

"They’ve made a really good start to the season and I hope they can continue that. They’ve had a few years flirting with the Championship and they’ve managed to get out of League One and into it now, so hopefully they can sustain that start."

The tournament will kick-off on Wednesday 5 October with the USA taking on Germany in Leigh, before England meet the Netherlands at Oldham Athletic's Boundary Park later in the day.

After a day’s rest, Friday’s action will start with the Netherlands and the USA going head-to-head in Altrincham, before England face Germany at Huddersfield Town's John Smith's Stadium.

With no games across the weekend, the action resumes on the evening of Monday 10 October as the Young Lions and the USA face-off in Rochdale at the same time as Leigh's Sports Village hosts the Netherlands v Germany.

Tickets for all of England's games cost just £3 for adults and £1.50 for concessions and are available via each of the hosting clubs. The non-England games will be played behind closed doors.

Larger groups and Charter Standard clubs can also get tickets for cheaper, using the forms below.

England v Netherlands
7pm, Wednesday 5 October
Boundary Park, Oldham Athletic
Click here for group booking form
Click here for Charter Standard booking form

England v Germany
7pm, Friday 7 October
John Smith's Stadium, Huddersfield Town 
Click here for group booking form
Click here for Charter Standard booking form

England v USA
7pm, Monday 10 October
Spotland, Rochdale FC
Click here for group booking form
Click here for Charter Standard booking form

FATV highlights: England U20s 1-2 Brazil

 


By FA Staff