England U18s played the first of their three games in the UAE on Wednesday evening

England U18s played the first of their three games in the UAE on Wednesday evening

England U18s beat Japan by 4-1 in their first game at the UAE Sports Chain Cup in Dubai.

Goals from Folarin Balogun, Tommy Doyle, Morgan Whittaker and Paris Maghoma proved enough for Neil Dewsnip’s side at the Sevens Stadium.

The opener cam after a clipped ball into the area from Ethan Laird was flicked on by Balogun past an exposed Japanese keeper, after a sustained spell of possession.

And after a well-worked equaliser from Japan, England's advantage was restored via a perfect free-kick from Doyle to give the Young Lions a half time lead.

After the break, an incisive counter attack ended with Balogun's low cross met by Whittaker from close range, and two subs combined for the fourth as Bobby Duncan's cross-shot was tapped home by Maghoma at the far post.

The Young Lions will be in action again on Friday afternoon when they take on Czech Republic.

England: 1 Luca Ashby-Hammond (Fulham), 2 Vontae Daley-Campbell (Arsenal), 3 Luke Thomas (Leicester City), 4 James Garner (Manchester United) (c), 5 Ethan Laird (Manchester United), 6 Luis Binks (Tottenham Hotspur), 7 Morgan Whittaker (Derby County), 8 Tommy Doyle (Manchester City), 9 Folarin Balogun (Arsenal), 11 Curtis Jones (Liverpool), 14 Jacob Ramsey (Aston Villa).

Substitutes: 20 Cody Drameh (Fulham) for Thomas 42, 10 Anthony Gordon (Everton) for Jones 46, 19 Bobby Duncan (Liverpool) for Balogun 75, Paris Maghoma (Tottenham Hotspur) for Whittaker 75, 16 Bali Mumba (Sunderland) for Ramsey 87

Substitutes not used: 12 Dylan Crowe (Ipswich Town), 13 Josh Griffiths (West Bromwich Albion), 15 17 Clinton Mola (Chelsea), 18 Rhys Williams (Liverpool), 21 George Wickens (Fulham)

Head coach: Neil Dewsnip