Peacock pleased with opening win
Monday, 18 October, 2010
Head Coach delighted with win over Sweden in difficult group.
by Glenn Lavery
John Peacock said he was “very happy” with his young side after watching them defeat Sweden 3-0 in the opening qualifier for next summer’s European Championship.
A Hallam Hope brace either side of Sam Magri’s 23rd-minute goal handed England an ultimately comfortable victory in Tbilisi.
“This is probably the hardest group to get out of so I’m delighted to have won the first game,” summarised Peacock.
“Even though we went a goal up in the first ten minutes, Sweden were relatively direct and caused us a few problems in the first 15-20 minutes, but that second goal really settled us down and we then started to take control of the game. Once we got the third goal it was just a matter of managing the game properly and making sure we didn’t concede.
“The players have been very focused on what they are here to do and I’ve been very happy with them.”
If England beat Georgia on Wednesday they will book their place in the Elite Qualifying Round which takes place in March next year, leaving them just one step away from the Finals, and the chance to retain the crown won by last year's group of Young Lions.
“Now the first game is out of the way, they have to re-focus for the game against Georgia and be ready to go again,” said Peacock. “That is a very important game for us now and it could see us clinch qualification.”