Report: England Partially Sighted 3-0 Italy
Goals from Douglas Pratt and Harry Gibbons ensure Para Lions get to the knockout stage of competition in Birmingham
England's partially-sighted team topped their group stage table after a comprehensive 3-0 victory over Italy on Saturday evening.
A first-half double from Douglas Pratt set the Para Lions on their way before a goal from Harry Gibbons (pictured above) after the break completed the scoring to set up a semi-final clash with Japan.
England took the lead after less than two minutes of play, when 'keeper Myles Chadwick rolled the ball out to Gibbons, who then found Adam Lione in space on the left. He looked up and picked out Pratt in the area and the striker did the rest by finishing from close range.
And the lead was doubled seconds before half time after a poor pass in the England half by Italy saw Pratt nip in and break clear on goal, before finishing his one-on-one with aplomb.
The second half was a little more cat and mouse as Italy looked to find a lifeline back into the match, but the contest was settled with just over five minutes remaining when Gibbons scored the pick of the day with his powerful right-footer from range giving the Italian 'keeper no chance.
England will now face Japan in the semi-final on Monday evening (5.30pm BST), while Spain and Ukraine will meet in the other semi-final.
England: Myles Chadwick, Harry Gibbons, Jacob Heasman, Adam Lione, Doug Pratt.
Substitutes: Josh Pugh, John McDougall, Liam Spinks, Jack Walsh, Harry MacDonald
Head coach: Steve Daley