Aarons On Target As England Progress

By Dan King - Newcastle United Digital Editor

Rolando Aarons scored as England's under-20s qualified for the third-place play-off at the Toulon Tournament with a 3-1 win over China on Friday evening.

The Newcastle youngster made it two goals in two starts for his country - and four appearances overall - with a close-range strike after 39 minutes.

Aarons also scored on his international debut against Romania last September but had been restricted to two cameo appearances from the bench at the tournament.

With England needing to win by a two-goal margin to progress, it was clear that Aarons was keen to make up for lost time as his run and cross from the left set up John Swift, whose shot was blocked by goalkeeper Yeerjieti Yeerzhati.

Then the Magpies teenager threaded an intelligent pass through for Chuba Akpom in the 27th minute, but the Arsenal man was also denied by Yeerzhati.

But there was nothing the China keeper could do to keep out Aarons when Callum Robinson's right-wing cross fell to him at the far post.

Chelsea youngster Lewis Baker made it 2-0 in the 52nd minute before China pulled one back through Guo Yi.

But, after Aarons came off with 25 minutes to play, an own goal from Xiaobin Zhang was enough to see England finish second in Group B, ahead of Mexico on goal difference.

Aidy Boothroyd's Young Lions will face USA on Sunday ahead of the final between Morocco and hosts France.

Meanwhile, Daryl Janmaat started for Holland's senior team in a 4-3 friendly defeat against USA in Amsterdam.

The defender came off at half-time, while Tim Krul was an unused substitute.