England U16 recently returned from an international trip to Turkey, a week that combined football, learning moments and special experiences as a team. From the moment the players arrived on Monday, October 27th, the focus was on working hard, improving together and getting the most out of the trip.

The next day the team got straight into their routine with a training session led by their own coaches. On Wednesday they started the morning with breakfast and some relaxing wellness time, giving the boys a chance to recharge before an intense stretch of matches and training.

On Thursday, October 30th, England played their first match of the Football Federation Cup against Wales U16. It turned into a strong and confident performance, with England winning the match 5-1 and showing clear teamwork and quality on the ball. The result gave the group a real boost heading into the rest of the week. Friday began with another training session and some time to rest at the hotel afterwards, helping the players stay fresh for the days ahead.

Saturday brought a tough match against Turkey U16. After a competitive 90 minutes, the game ended in a close 3-2 defeat, but the performance once again showed the team’s fight and determination. The following two days were used for extra training sessions, where the players worked on details and prepared for their next opponent, Portugal.

The final of the Football Federation Cup took place on November 4th, with England facing Portugal for the tournament title. It was a tense match from start to finish, but Portugal managed to score twice and secured the win. Later that day the team travelled home, bringing back valuable lessons and memories from a week of international football.

With strong opponents, good training facilities and the chance to experience another culture, this trip was an important step in the development of these young players. England U16 return home more connected, more confident and ready for the next part of their journey.