Partially Sighted Team beat Italy to secure semi-final spot at Euros
England's Partially-Sighted Team reach the European Championship Finals in Turkey on Wednesday after a 5-2 victory over Italy.
Goals from Bradley Bricknell, Jeremy Vernaeve (2), Daniel Gauden and Steve Daley ensured their place in the last four on Friday where they'll take on Spain.
Graham Keeley's team took control right from the start of the game, applying early pressure and forcing the Italian goalkeeper into early saves.
After eight minutes of sustained pressure Bricknell rifled a left foot shot into the right hand corner, his first goal for England. The Italians then had to contend with a barrage of chances from Gauden, McDougall and Daley.
Towards the end of the first half the Italians had their best spell but were thwarted by several fine saves from Tom Bailey. But at half time England were comfortable with their 1-0 lead.
The Three Lions started the second half again dominating possession. The Italian goal again came under pressure with shots from Vernaeve, Tom Lamb and Josh Pugh.
At the midway point of the second half a deflected Italian shot deceived the England goalkeeper to make the score 1-1. Italian hope was short lived, though, as Verneave latched onto a driven ball by Bricknell to convert at the far past and restore England’s lead.
Minutes later Vernaeve again linked well with Daley and McDougall to increase the lead to 3-1 and almost immediately they scored again, with Gauden hammered in a rebound, to make the score 4-1.
Daniele Del Canto gave Italy a lift with an individual strike to make it 4-2, before England's response almost immediately through a Daley thunderbolt from outside the area leaving the Italian goalkeeper stranded.
England came off the pitch delighted with their performance knowing that they had topped the group and the Italian coach praised the Three Lions' players and backroom staff for their professional approach.
Squad: 13 Bailey, 2 Bricknell, 3 Pugh, 4 D Gauden, 5 Vernaeve, 6 Lamb, 7 Daley, 10 McDougall, 1 Dix