Football: FIFA / Coca-Cola World Youth Cup: England aim to dictate terms

DAVID BURNSIDE, the England coach, yesterday said that his team would attempt to dictate the play when they meet the United States in the Fifa / Coca-Cola World Youth Cup in Melbourne today. He added that England could 'only get better' after struggling to a 1-1 draw with South Korea in their opening match in Group C.

Although the Americans made a superb start to the tournament with a 6-0 victory over Turkey, Burnside felt the European champions had given their opponents far too much room in attack.

England's defenders would mark much more tightly, according to Burnside. 'There was this much space between them and Turkey,' he said, with his hands more than a yard apart. 'There was none between us and Korea.

'The Americans played in a carefree way and I sensed the Turks felt a bit pressurised. Perhaps they underestimated the Americans.'

The United States were rated as rank outsiders before the tournament started but their coach, Bobby Howe, the former West Ham player, has developed a skilful side.

Chris Faklaris, the tall striker who scored a hat-trick against Turkey, will pose a problem in the air for England's 18-year-old central defender, Ian Pearce.

'England play with a never-say- die attitude, which is wonderful to behold,' Howe said. 'Tactically, I don't think they have kept abreast with the rest of the world, but they overcome that with a determination to succeed. Any team that plays against an English team knows there is going to be a battle.'

The Americans could be without their playmaker, Imad Baba, who underwent treatment for an ankle injury yesterday.

The hosts, Australia, have already qualified for the quarter- finals from Group A after defeating a weakened Russian side 3-1 yesterday.

FIFA / COCA-COLA WORLD YOUTH CUP Group A (Canberra): Colombia 3 (Zambrano 43, 85, Restrepo 45) Cameroon 2 (Foe 15, Ndiefi 45). (Sydney): Australia 3 (Magomedov og 13, Milicic 69, Agostino 81) Russia 1 (Chudin 19). Standings: 1 Australia (P 2, Pts 4); 2 Russia

(2-2); 3 Colombia (2-2); 4 Cameroon (2-0).

TODAY'S FIXTURES: Group B (Brisbane): Germany v Ghana; Portugal v Uruguay. Group C (Melbourne): England v United States; South Korea v Turkey. Group D (Adelaide): Norway v Saudi Arabia; Mexico v Brazil.