Ukraine top Group A with narrow win over hosts England at Cerebral Palsy Football World Championships

Ukraine topped Group A thanks to a narrow 1-0 win over host nation England ©CPFWC

Volodymyr Antoniuk’s first-half strike gave world number two ranked Ukraine a narrow 1-0 victory over host nation England at the Cerebral Palsy Football World Championships at St George’s Park in Burton upon Trent in England.

The two sides had already secured their spot in the next round in a group that contained only three teams after Iran withdrew from the tournament due to visa problems.

But both teams wanted to ensure they finished the group stage on a high and it was the Ukrainians who proved too strong in the end thanks to Antoniuk.

Oleh Len picked the tall striker out with a cross from the right-hand side which he neatly brought down before firing home to give Ukraine the lead midway through the opening period.

Despite sustained pressure from the host nation, the European champions managed to see the rest of the contest out to claim top spot in Group A.

Image title — Russia maintained their 100 per cent start to the tournament with a comfortable 5-0 win over Australia ©The FA

The defeat for England means they will go on to face Russia after the world champions again displayed their clinical nature in front of goal with a convincing 5-0 win against Australia.

Eduard Ramonov put Russia in front after just four minutes and that set the tone for another comfortable afternoon for the world’s top-ranked team.

Alexander Kuligin then doubled the lead before captain Lasha Murvanadze's drilled effort from range found the net to make it 3-0.

Alexey Tumakov and Alexey Chesmin both added their names to the scoresheet to complete the rout as the Russians finished the group stage having scored 22 goals.

The Republic of Ireland managed to seal their berth in the next round as they hammered Portugal 8-0, Dillon Sheriden scoring four and Gary Messett twice.

Both players produced superb performances in the first half as the Irish side raced into a 7-0 lead at the break, with further Darragh Snell also adding to the Portuguese misery.

Luke Evans rounded off a dominant display with the eighth after the restart.

The tournament is due to continue tomorrow when Scotland take on Venezuela and Brazil face the United States in Group C.

Argentina then go up against Northern Ireland while The Netherlands clash with Canada in the final group stage match of the competition.