Southampton youngster Josh Sims says his debut goal for England U17s was his "best moment in football" as he ended a whirlwind few days in fine style.
The winger made his international debut on Wednesday and celebrated that feat in fine style, scoring one and creating another as the Young Lions defeated Holland by 2-0 in their opening match of the Algarve Tournament.
Sims gave a fearless display as he continually tormented the Dutch defence, and he thanked his team-mates for helping him produce his match-winning performance.
Sims in training with England U17s in Portugal this week
He told TheFA.com: "I was nervous and didn’t know what to expect but the boys have been great, they have made me feel really welcome and I don’t feel like the new guy at all.
"Once the team was named, they were all wishing me good luck and then once I got my first touch, it felt like any other and I got into it and was fine.
"I made a couple of early runs down the line and felt confident."
Sims’ goal came minutes into the second half, using his pace to latch on to a through ball before showing all the composure of a seasoned pro to finish past the keeper.
He recalled: "I made my move and met that great ball from Dael Fry, and I was just so happy to get that goal.
"It was my best moment so far in football, but I couldn’t really remember it all until we watched it back in the debrief meeting. I can only remember actually finishing it in my head but other than that, it was a blur."
Not content with his goal, Sims then turned provider as he assisted Joshua Onomah for England’s second goal in the closing stages.
"In the first half, I closed the centre-half down and I noticed that he got a bit nervous and realised then that he doesn’t like being pressured," added Sims.
“Then when he got the ball with his back to me from the keeper, I quickly closed him down and won the ball, then spotted Josh and squared it for him to finish.
"The keeper made it easy for me, and it was a hard angle for me to score from, so I was always looking to pass it across to Josh."
Now a fully-fledged member of the squad, Sims is targeting a place in John Peacock’s squad for next month’s Elite Qualifying Round in Czech Republic and helping his country qualify for the European Championship in Malta.
“I was over the moon to just be included in this tournament. ”
Josh Sims
He said: "We have two games left, we’ve won only one match, so there is a long way to go.
"Hopefully I’ll be able to produce another two good performances and force my way into the squad for the Elites next month and help us qualify for the European Championship.
"I was over the moon to just be included in this tournament, so if I could help us qualify and then get picked for the Euros, it would be unbelievable."
His time with the Young Lions has been "a dream" so far for the youngster, and he said the goal was the perfect end to a "whirlwind" few days.
Sims added: "I knew I was on the standby list, and I was so happy then just to receive that call. It was my dad’s e-mail that The FA had, so I was asking him every day if he had heard anything else.
"It was last Friday when I had just finished training when my coach at Southampton pulled me aside and told me I was coming here. So I quickly rushed home and packed to meet up with the squad on the Saturday.
"Coming away with England is everything I have dreamed of. I’ve fitted in perfectly with the lads and getting the goal on my debut - it has been perfect."
