Poyet makes winning start

Diego Poyet’s Uruguay kicked-off their FIFA U-20 World Cup campaign with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Serbia
Diego Poyet’s Uruguay kicked-off their FIFA U-20 World Cup campaign with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Serbia.

The West Ham United midfielder appeared as a 71st-minute substitute as La Albiceleste defeated their European opponents at the spectacular Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin, New Zealand.

Uruguay’s goal was scored by Facundo Castro eleven minutes after half-time, with Poyet helping to ensure the 2013 runners-up made the perfect start to this year’s finals.

In the other opening Group D fixture, Mali defeated Mexico 2-0.

Uruguay face the Mexicans at the same venue on Wednesday at 4pm local time (5am UK time) before completing their group-stage commitments by tackling Mali at the Waikato Stadium in Hamilton on Saturday 6 June at 4pm local time (5am UK time).

Elsewhere, Enner Valencia and Ecuador will step up their preparations for this month’s Copa America finals in Chile by facing Panama in a pair of warm-up fixtures on Wednesday and Saturday respectively.

The first meeting will be held at the Estadio Rommel Fernández in Panama City, while the second will take place at the Estadio Reales Tamarindos in Portoviejo, Ecuador.

Ecuador kick-off their Copa America Group A challenge by facing host nation Chile in Santiago on Thursday 11 June, before tackling Bolivia in Valparaiso four days later and Mexico in Rancagua on Friday 19 June.

At age-group level, goalkeeper Sam Howes is in the England U18 squad for an international double-header with Russia at the Arena Khimki in Moscow on Monday 8 June and Wednesday 10 June.

Finally, James Collins will miss Wales’ vital 2016 UEFA European Championship Group B qualifier with Belgium in Cardiff on Friday 12 June due to a calf injury.