Brewster trick does it for England
MARGAO: Rhian Brewster scored a hattrick as England thrashed USA 4-1 to enter their maiden FIFA U-17 World Cup semi-final on Saturday. Brewster scored in the 11th, 14th and 90+6th minutes from a penalty while Morgan Gibbs White scored in 64th minute to hand England the convincing win.
Wasting a handful of chances, USA managed to score a consolation goal in the 72 nd minute through Joshua Sargent. England will face the winner of Sunday’s quarter-final between Brazil and Germany in Guwahati on October 25.
USA had the first shot at the goal in the second minute when Andrew Carleton’s right footer from outside the box just missed the right corner of the England goal. Two minutes later, Tashan Oakley-Boothe’s right footed shot from outside the box was saved in the centre of the goal by the American defence.
Timothy Weah’s right-footer then missed the target by a whisker as USA continued to flounder chances.
England took the lead in the 11th minute through Brewster whose right-footed shot from the centre of the box slammed on to the top right corner of the Ameri- can goal. Three minutes later Brewster scored his second goal with a brilliant scoop from the right side, past an onrushing American goalkeeper to make the scoreline 2-0.
Brewster could have had his hattrick earlier had American goalkeeper Justin Garces not saved the English striker’s left- footed shot from the left side of the box. USA’s Joshua Sargent then hit the bar with a right footed shot in the 23rd minute.
The match continued to be an attacking display of football as both England and USA created numerous scoring chances.
England however took the game away from USA in the 64th minute when Morgan GibbsWhite scored with a right-footer to the bottom right corner of the American goal after being assisted by Brewster.
Despite enjoying a handy 3-0 lead, the Englishmen continued to attack, only to be foiled by a resolute Garces in front of the American goal.
Sargent reduced the margin for the Americans in the 72nd minute with a right-footed shot from close range to the bottom left corner of the English goal.
Brewster finally got his due when he converted a spot-kick in additional time to register his hattrick and a convincing victory for his side.