Nketiah inspires England to final showdown with Mexico
EDDIE NKETIAH kept England Under-21s on course for a third successive Toulon Tournament success by firing them into the final.
The Arsenal youngster scored twice after the break as the Young Lions came from behind to beat Scotland 3-1 in their semi-final.
Mikey Johnston put Scotland ahead before half-time but after Nketiah set up Callum Connolly’s equaliser shortly after the restart, he scored twice to secure victory.
England, who won the competition in 2016 and 2017, will face Mexico in the final.
They had to do it the hard way as Johnston gave Scot Gemmill’s side the lead midway through the first half when he fired home in fine style. But then Nketiah came to the party and set up Connolly for the easiest of tap-ins five minutes after half-time.
The 19-year-old, who featured 10 times for the Gunners last season, then put his side ahead with a fine individual goal, embarking on a mazy run and firing a low shot into the bottom corner. His second goal put the game to bed 11 minutes from time, with another impressive finish from just inside the area.
Mexico are waiting for Aidy Boothroyd’s side in the final after they overcame Turkey.
Reading have agreed to sign veteran defender John O’Shea on a one-year deal.
The 37-year-old, who had a highly decorated spell at Manchester United, is out of contract at Sunderland and will join the Championship Royals on July 1.
O’Shea becomes the third summer signing for the Royals, who narrowly avoided joining Sunderland in the bottom three, after Andy Yiadom and David Meyler already penned terms at the Madejski Stadium.
Former Exeter boss Paul Tisdale has taken charge of League Two MK Dons. COSTA RICA boss Oscar Ramirez believes England are among the main contenders for World Cup glory in Russia.
Ramirez’s side take on England at Elland Road tonight before completing their own preparation for the tournament with a final warm-up match in Belgium on Monday.
Los Ticos, who reached the quarter-finals in Brazil four years ago, will be the last side England face before the Three Lions launch their World Cup campaign against Tunisia on June 18.
“England have a very good squad at the moment. It’s a very physical squad,” said Ramirez.
“They have a lot of great characteristics – their combination play, their defence is very good, they often like to trick the attackers. They are also a very modern squad and one that has a lot of hope.
“England are one of many sides – Germany, Brazil, Spain, even France, who all have a lot of potential at this tournament.”
Ramirez was appointed head coach in August 2015, 12 months after Colombian Jorge Luis Pinto had led the small Central American nation to a stunning success in Brazil.
Former Fulham midfielder Bryan Ruiz, currently at Sporting Lisbon, remains doubtful for Elland Road after missing Sunday’s 3-0 win against Northern Ireland in San Jose.
Ramirez expects Ruiz, fellow midfielder Christian Bolanos and forward Marco Urena to all prove their fitness in time for their opening World Cup game against Serbia on June 17.
“Since Brazil we’re a different side now, we’ve got different strengths,” Ramirez added.
“But I know we’ve got a squad which is very excited to build on the achievements we had in 2014.
“In Brazil, not only did we get to the knockout stage, we won the group and we were excited to see what we were capable of.”