Long term aim is senior World Cup, says Cooper

KOLKATA: He is happy that his wards are one shot away from glory but England U-17 head coach Steve Cooper said that ultimate aim of all these boys is to win the senior trophy, that has eluded them for 52 years.

England won the FIFA World Cup way back in 1966 defeating West Germany in the final.

“Our long term aim is to win World Cup and European Championship at the senior level. If these boys can keep playing the way they are, regardless of what happens tomorrow, for the long term, we think we will have half a chance of reaching the aims and objectives of winning for the senior team,” Cooper said on the eve of the U-17 summit clash against Spain. England have never been close to repeating 1966 World Cup

heroics but Cooper said they are in the right direction with the DNA development in place at the Football Association.

“We have a plan now at St George’s Park. I’m a big part of that plan. We are only a few years into the plan. Nobody is getting carried away. We will commit to it through the highs and lows.”

“Any good development programme is to play for the first team. We are back of a successful summer. We are in a good moment. If we continue to do that I am sure there would be more opportunities for the players.

Cooper refused to take the credit from his boys.

“The last thing tomorrow is about is me, it’s about a group of players and staff who are doing their very best to represent the country the best way we can. We have done that, that’s been our attitude so far in the tournament and tomorrow would be no different.”

‘ENGLAND IMPROVED IN EVERY ASPECT’

Spain coach Santi Denia said England has improved in every aspect of the game since the Euro U-17 final in May earlier this year that Spain won.

“I believe England have improved in every aspect of the game. It is clear that they are defensively much better while offensively their record -- 18 goals from six matches -- speak for themselves,” Denia said at a press conference on Friday.

“They have improved not only with the ball but they do know how to play transition football,” he said while crediting England coach Steve Cooper. “Steve has handpicked players to come here and he knows very well how to play them. He has accomplished what he was looking for,” Denia added.

“We have not won this title yet. We have had several good former players who have not been able to win it but we have a chance tomorrow.

“We are motivated as a team and we are looking for the answers, to find the best way of playing,” Denia said.