Bailey Fleming shows England’s World Cup hopefuls how to win on penalties in Brazil!

Bailey Fleming, 17, has just got back from representing the England under-20 Cerebral Palsy football team in a tournament held in Sao Paulo.

Easton and Otley College student Bailey from Faulkbourne in Essex – played five games for his country on a recent tour to the South American footballing hotbed.

He played as a left-back and left-wing in a seven-a-side tournament against sides that were representing different regions of Brazil – in sweltering temperatures that hit as high as 35 degrees.

England won all their games – including a semi-final match on penalties – securing a 2-0 victory in the final game of the tournament against a team from Rio.

Bailey, who is studying for a sports qualification said, “It was a mind-blowing experience and winning the tournament was the obvious highlight.

“We literally took one day at a time and by the end of the final match (Bailey played two games in one day) I was exhausted but delighted.”

Bailey was one of 12 people in the squad and he played in games that lasted an hour. Some games had an additional 20 minutes of extra-time if the scores were level at full time.

Fleming hopes to go to San Diego, in the USA, next year as part of the England squad, if chosen after a trial that will be held at St Georges Park.

Lynsey Wilson from the sports department at Easton and Otley College, said: “We are thrilled for Bailey and proud of his achievements.

“Anyone who plays for their country deserves great recognition.

“The fact that he played in a team that won on penalties and then went on to be victorious in the final of a tournament in Brazil, should give fans of the England national football team some hope that anything is possible.”

England’s senior team have been handed a tough draw in this year’s World Cup, which will be held in Brazil, and will face 2006 winners Italy, Luis Suarez’s Uruguay and Costa Rica.