England U18 is set to play their opening fixture of the UEFA Friendship Cup in Switzerland, with Colombia providing the opposition at 5pm this Thursday, 24 September, in Nyon. Managed by Will Antwi, the Young Lions are taking part in the UEFA-hosted tournament, which brings together eight nations and features three group-stage matches before a final fixture to determine the finishing positions.
Several options to watch in Will Antwi’s squad
Will Antwi has a 22-man squad at his disposal, with several interesting profiles to keep an eye on in the opening fixture. Ryan Kavuma-McQueen, on loan at Portsmouth from Chelsea, is one of the main attacking threats, having become the youngest Championship player to score and provide an assist this season, while Ajay Tavares, now at FC Barcelona, provides another attacking option. In midfield, Hugo De Lisle, Max Little and Tyrese Noubissie, who has previously represented France at youth level, offer several options, while the defence can call upon the likes of Marlow Barrett, Calvin Diakite and Jake Wain. With three group-stage matches taking place over the space of a few days, the clash with Colombia will give Antwi his first opportunity to get his side up and running in the competition and assess his different combinations.
The England U18 starting XI to face Colombia :
- Roman Dowell (Newcastle United)
- Oscar Sandiford (Tottenham Hotspur)
- Calvin Diakite (Chelsea)
- Freddie Lawrie (Manchester City)
- Marlow Barrett (Manchester City)
- Tyrese Noubissie (RC Strasbourg)
- Max Little (Southampton)
- Erik Farkas (Liverpool)
- Jashayde Greenwood (Chelsea)
- Kyran Thompson (Newcastle United)
- Michael Mills (Newcastle United)
