England achieve goal with Russia

"We came for nine points and achieved our goal," said new England manager John Griffiths after they and Russia progressed from the last UEFA European Women's Under-17 Championship qualifying round mini-tournament to finish, Group 1 in Bulgaria.

Full results and standings

• England stormed to a 9-0 opening win against Moldova with seven different scorers.
• The two survivors from England's home finals squad last season, Ashleigh Plumptre and Chloe Kelly, got two goals each.
• Aleksandra Trikina's 50th-minute strike ensured Russia beat Bulgaria 1-0.
• England's fine form continued against Bulgaria, a 5-0 victory including two goals each by Grace Fisk and substitute Georgia Stanway.
• It was level at half-time but Russia defeated Moldova 7-0, Valeriya Zarubina netting a late hat-trick.
• That result guaranteed that both England and Russia would advance.
• Stanway then claimed a treble after Kelly's opener as England saw off Russia 4-1 for first place.
• Bulgaria overcame Moldova 2-0 to finish third.

Reaction:
John Griffiths, England manager
We came for nine points and achieved our goal. Overall we are pleased with the progress of the group. I'm only three months in the post, so the team is becoming more accustomed to me. Gradually we are beginning to achieve what we aspire to, but we need more work.

Today we got a much more serious test than the previous two games. Congratulations to Russia, who also qualified. Optimism is always there, but we have a lot more to work on.

Through to elite round
Group 1: England, Russia
Group 2: Finland, Poland
Group 3: Switzerland, Hungary
Group 4: Republic of Ireland, Serbia, Romania*
Group 5: Austria, Czech Republic
Group 6: Sweden, Scotland
Group 7: Belgium, Belarus
Group 8: Denmark, Turkey
Group 9: Italy, Norway
Group 10: Netherlands, Slovakia
Bye: Germany (holders), France, Spain

*Best third-placed

Draw: 19 November, involving 24 teams, of whom seven will join hosts Iceland in the finals.