YOUNG Saints duo Sam Amo-Ameyaw and Tyler Dibling scored as England got their FIFA Under-17 World Cup campaign underway in style.
Ryan Garry’s side kick-started Group C with a 10-0 victory over New Caledonia, who are making their second appearance in the tournament.
Three Southampton players were named in the England squad which has travelled to Indonesia for this month’s tournament - Jayden Meghoma being the other.
All three started against lower-ranked opposition as England bossed the game from the first whistle and raced to a 3-0 lead inside 35 minutes at the Jakharta International Stadium.
Dibling, 17, provided the assist for England second, sliding the ball to Manchester City’s Justin Oboavwoduo, who slotted home from close range.
Having been the provider, Dibling got on the scoresheet before the break. He cut in from the right before cracking a left-footed shot through the legs of the New Caledonian goalkeeper.
New Caledonia were reduced to 10 men when Nolhann Alebate was shown a red card on 46 minutes, inviting England to add more goals against a side that already looked a step below the quality required.
Amo-Ameyaw added a fifth goal five minutes later. His low stuck effort flew into the bottom corner uncontested by Nicolas Kutran between the sticks.
With the result more than wrapped up after Oboavwoduo’s second extended their lead to 6-0, Garry made a slew of changes, including withdrawing Dibling, ahead of England’s next game against Iran on Tuesday, November 14.
Both Amo-Ameyaw and Meghoma remained on the pitch for the full 90 minutes, with the former being awarded man on the match following the final whistle.
The teenage winger, who signed his first professional contract at St Mary’s earlier this season, rounded off the game with a 95 per cent pass accuracy.
Amo-Ameyaw also made six key passes (the most of any player involved).
England’s win sees them sit top of Group C, ahead of Iran on goal difference after their comeback 3-2 win over Brazil.
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