'Keeper gets a clean sheet in Toulon tournament opener
- Town's Ryan Schofield makes England U20 debut
- 'Keeper gets clean sheet in 1-0 win against Angola
- Schofield has previously been capped for England’s U18s
Huddersfield Town Academy goalkeeper Ryan Schofield kept a clean sheet on his England Under-20 debut as the Three Lions won 1-0 against Angola on Monday 29 May 2017.
Ryan, who is still in the first year of his two season scholarship, was handed his first cap for the U20s by Head Coach Neil Dewsnip in the opening game of the Under-20 Toulon tournament.
England, who won the tournament in 2016 with a team that included Chelsea loanee Kasey Palmer, began its defence of the trophy with a Group A match against Angola in Aubgane.
Town’s young ‘keeper was influential in keeping the scores level, producing a fine save to stop Angola taking the lead; the save proved pivotal as England took the lead just moments later through Ike Ugbo.
The win left the Young Lions top of Group A after the first match as Japan and Cuba drew 1-1 in their tournament opener.
The first placed teams from each group will progress to semi-finals on 8 June, alongside one runner-up.
Schofield could earn his second Under-20 cap for his country on Thursday 1 June 2017 when England faces Cuba at Stade D’Honneur Marcel Roustan Salon De Provence in a 7.30pm KO.
The 2016/17 season has been a successful one for the youngster, who signed a new contract with Huddersfield Town towards the latter end of the season.
As well as being a regular for Town’s Under-18s side, he also helped FC United of Manchester win the Frank Hannah Manchester Premier Cup keeping a clean sheet against Stalybridge Celtic in the final.
Ryan has one cap for the England Under-18 side, keeping a clean sheet in a 4-0 win over host nation Qatar in March 2017.
Huddersfield Town’s Lead Academy Goalkeeping Coach Paul Clements said:
“This is another positive step for Ryan this season after making his England U18 debut earlier in the season and having a successful loan spell with FC United of Manchester.
“Ryan’s attitude day in day out is first class and it nice to see him get the rewards for his hard work; he’s one of those players who goes the extra mile to get better and he makes the best of what has got.”
