Head Coach John Peacock saluted his players after they reached the World Finals for the first time.

England 4-2 Holland
UEFA U17 Championship Finals
Group B
Monday 7 May 2007
Tubizi, Belgium

An ecstatic John Peacock saluted his side after they reached the World Championships for the first time.

All four European Championship Semi-Finalists were guaranteed a place at the Korea showpiece and England reached the last four when they beat Holland on Monday - a win which also booked their place at the Far East.

"I'm absolutely delighted," Peacock told TheFA.com moments after the final whistle. "I'm so happy that the players will have the chance to show what they can do on the world stage. We have not been there before and the lads thoroughly deserve it.

"We don't make life easy, but we deserved to beat Holland. There is so much character in this side."

England's route to Korea was finally settled in the final minute against Holland. Leading 3-2 after a brace from Victor Moses and a stunning half-volley from Henri Lansbury, Tristain Plummer headed home England's fourth to seal a place at the World Championships.

"We were totally in control in the first half but conceded a poor goal just before half-time," recalled Peacock. "We said we needed a good second half but within four minutes it was 2-2. I was disappointed they were level as we were in the ascendancy and playing well.

"There was a bit of luck with our third goal, but we deserved that. It could have been more than four in the end.

"We said the objective before the tournament was to qualify for the World Finals - we will enjoy that, but it's out the way now. Now we are in the Semi-Finals, we will look to that game with France.

"They [France] have showed a lot of character to get through, like when they beat Germany. We know them well. We drew 1-1 with them in the Algarve Tournament and I'd expect another close game."

England: Steele (Middlesbrough), Ofori-Twumasi (Chelsea), Mattock (Leicester) (Woods, Chelsea, 41), Lansbury (Arsenal), Pearce (Birmingham City), Spence (West Ham), Welbeck (Manchester United), Rose (Leeds), Murphy (Arsenal) (Plummer, Bristol City, 41), Moses (Crystal Palace), Porritt (Middlesbrough) (Gosling 80).
Subs: Smithies (Huddersfield), Taiwo (Chelsea), Franks (Middlesbrough), Hoyte (Arsenal).

England will meet France in the Semi-Finals on Thursday. Stay with TheFA.com for all the build-up to that game.

Spain will play Belgium in the other Semi-Final.