Ghana to play England

England v Ghana
U18 International Friendly
7.45pm, Tuesday 20 November 2007
Priestfield Stadium, Gillingham FC
Ticket office - 01634 300 000

England U18s face a stiff challenge when they take on Ghana at Gillingham's Priestfield Stadium on Tuesday 20 November.

For many of the Young Lions this will be their first outing since playing in the recent U17 World Cup in Korea, where they reached the Quarter Finals.


The highlight of that trip was a dramatic 2-1 win over Brazil which earned them top spot in their group. A victory over Syria soon followed before England were brushed aside by a rampant German side, losing 4-1.


Three players from that trip have since been promoted to the U19 squad - Krystian Pearce, Jordan Spence and Jason Steele - while Joseph Mattock, who was originally selected for the World Cup before withdrawing through injury, has also stepped up an age group.


All four are unlikely to feature against Ghana, but a number who shone during that tournament, like Huddersfield goalkeeper Alex Smithies, Seth Nana Ofori-Twumasi, the Chelsea right-back, Arsenal midfielder Henri Lansbury and Manchester United forward Daniel Welbeck, could be involved.

Brian Eastick, England U18 Head Coach, will need his men to be on form if they are to defeat the Black Stars.


Ghana went one step further than England in the World Cup, eventually being ousted by Spain in the Semi Finals.


Eastick will name his squad on Tuesday 30 October.