U-17 World Cup: Not getting carried away, says England coach Cooper

Margao: England coach Steve Cooper couldn’t have it better. His charges executed plans perfectly against the US, in front of a large crowd and in Goa who he said pre-match warmed up to English football.

However, Cooper made it clear at the risk of “sounding boring” he’s not looking beyond the semifinals which England have entered for the first time ever.

“We’re not getting carried away,” he said at the post-match conference at the Nehru Stadium at Fatorda on Saturday. “We’re going to keep doing what we have been doing.”

The coach reflected on a “pleasing start” which saw England take a 2-0 lead in the first 14 minutes, thanks to Rhian Brewster.

“I’m proud of the boys, they played with a lot of maturity in the biggest game of their careers, were clear of the game plan and exploited the spaces left by the US,” he said, reflecting on the 4-1 win over the US.

Cooper’s team awaits the winner of Brazil versus Germany but the coach has no particular preference as semifinal opponents. He preferred to dwell on long term vision that has helped England enjoy a huge vein of success this year, the highlight being the U-20 World Cup triumph.

“We have been pleased with development plans at St George’s Park where the vision is to take things forward and we will take note of talent at hand in the next 12 months that would help develop the England senior team in years to come,” he said.

“However, irrespective of our long-term plans, we want to win this tournament,” Cooper asserted.

John Hackworth, the US coach, still expressed pride over his team’s performance in the tournament but felt his team had a hill to climb falling back by two early goals.

“My boys were a bit too tentative at the start and you can’t be when playing who, in my opinion, is the best team in the world,” he said.

Hackworth praised England goalkeeper Curtis Anderson for being fully up to the task much as he lamented the spate of missed chances in the first half.

“Had we got one in, it would have been a different sort of game,” he said.

The US coach explained his animation near the dugout as not directed against his players but because it was beyond him why UEFA officials were delegated for the trans-Atlantic clash.