England

0-2

Holland

 

Jaap van Duyn 8, Dino Cornet 42


Learning Disability International Friendly
1.00pm, Sunday 27 April 2008
Curzon Ashton FC

Alan Gillett believes the England Learning Disability side are in good shape ahead of the forthcoming European Championships.

His side lost 2-0 in hard fought game against the reigning European champions Holland in his first game in charge.

But the new boss insists he fears no-one in the draw for the tournament later on today (Monday) with Sir Trevor Brooking.

"There is no one I do or don't want because we have set the bench mark now against the Dutch," he said.

"They played very much like their senior side and I hope that we are kept away from them in the early draw, so we get a chance to improve and give them a better game.

"We have got three more weekends to get together before the tournament in July and improve them as a team and a squad.

"But we showed we have got a great nucleus of a side out there and have some good coaches to bring them on - I am the new kid on the block and have got a great deal to learn."

First half goals from Jaap van Duyn and the impressive Dino Cornet were enough to seal the win for Holland.

But an improved display in the second half from a makeshift England side produced a number of positives for Gillett.

"The most disappointing thing was the fact that this was a showpiece event and we have not been able to get the best squad together for the game," he added.

"We had some young players out there to make up some numbers and a lot of the guys have not been playing regularly - but the boys have promised me that they are going to do better.

"I am really impressed by a number of the players out there and I am confident ahead of the tournament."