The young Lionesses will play the Republic of Ireland  on Tuesday 2 May, followed by the Netherlands  on 5 May and Norway on the 8 May.

Goalkeepers: Hannah Hampton (Birmingham City), Emily Ramsey (Manchester United).

Defenders: Meg Boydell (Liverpool), Shannon Cooke (Arsenal), Esme Morgan (Manchester City), Grace Neville (Millwall), Poppy Pattinson (Sunderland), Olivia Smith (Chelsea).

Midfielders: Beth O’Donnell (Manchester City), Aimee Palmer (Bristol City), Amy Rodgers (Liverpool) Emily Syme (Bristol City), Miri Taylor (Chelsea).

Forwards: Nicole Douglas (Chelsea), Jess Ngunga (Arsenal), Lauren Hemp (Bristol City), Ella Rutherford (Millwall), Gabby Ravenscroft (Oxford United).

Photo above is of last year’s U17 team

Japan played with speed and skill and their first goal on just 3 minutes put England immediately on the back foot.

However, England grew into the game and it was against the run of play that Japan doubled their lead just before half time.

Although England battled they were unable to cope with their polished opponents and in the end Japan ran out comfortable winners having added a third towards the end of the match.

This has been an amazing  journey for the young Lionesses and they will all have learnt a lot from taking part in a tournament of this magnitude, it wasn’t to be today but they are all just beginning their football careers and this experience will stand them in good stead.

Scorers for Japan: Jun Endo (JPN) 3′ , Riko Ueki (JPN) 45’+1 , Riko Ueki(JPN) 80′

All quarter finals results:

Mexico 1-2 Venezuela

Germany 1-2 Spain

Japan 3-0 England

Korea DPR 2-1 Ghana

Semi Finals – 17 October:

Korea DPR v Venezuela

Japan v Spain

England U17s (Photo: Mario Russo)

Throughout their incredible journey the team have been cheered every step of the way by an incredible set of parents and supporters. This team has been together for a long time and not only have they bonded but so too have the supporters.

The parents’ group has of course been with the team from the beginning and their pride as the girls qualified for the World Cup in Jordan was tangible. It’s not always easy to be able to travel to support, time has be taken from work and of course it is expensive, however, as soon as the team qualified their supporters were determined to be there too.

Here is a brief blog from Carol Russo mother of Alessia [who scored the winning goal against Korea DPR in the U17s first group game and won Player of the Match in the must-win game against Brazil].

Alessia Russo (Photo: Mario Russo)

“The team are so close and really support each other. They are not only a very talented bunch but are thoughtful, caring and bonded.

“The FA staff affiliated to this group are also very special. They make the girls feel like they are with family – the girls love them all.

“The staff at the FA have kept in touch with us [the parents] with regards to itineraries and education etc and have enabled us to meet up with the girls twice, for a bit of family time, which is invaluable.

“This parents group are all good friends. We have a whatsapp group (with about 45 relations on it!) so we chat in between tournaments and camps and use it to wish the girls good luck for debuts, congratulations on goals for their respective clubs and generally to chat, have a laugh and reminisce.

The girls salute their supporters (Photo: Mario Russo)

“We make ourselves seen and heard at the games and the girls love it!

“Jordan is beautiful. The people are so friendly and gracious. We have all visited the stunning ancient sight at Petra and floated in the Dead Sea together!

“The Amman International Hotel have been superb in accommodating such a large group and organising coaches etc for the trips to and from the games (we even had the coach driver and guide in England shirts supporting the game!)

“We will be going from 40+ to less than 10 for the game against Japan (on Friday) so we will have to shout louder and make our presence known, although we have recruited a few from the British Embassy, who kindly invited us over on Friday for a fabulous evening of entertainment. Many of the parents have had to go back to the UK because of work commitments but all are desperate to return so maybe we’ll have a few extra on the day! Wish us luck!”

And we do, we wish them all the luck in the world and will be following every kick.

The result leaves them with just two points and needing a victory in their final group game against Brazil on Saturday in order to progress to the knockout Stage of the competition.  England are one point behind Brazil, so it is a case of winner takes all.

Group C table looks like this:

The Lionesses were 2-1 at half time thanks to goals from Ellie Brazil and Georgia Stanway. Stanway having restored the lead after Hyang Sim Sung equalised for North Korea.

But in the second half  Pom Ui Kim brought her side level and then with just minutes remaining Kyong Hui Ko nudged North Korea ahead.

The young Lionesses kept battling and their endeavour was rewarded when Alessia Russo fired home to level the score.

England will be full of confidence and team spirit high as they go into their next match against Nigeria, on Tuesday afternoon (2pm BST KO).  (Nigeria lost their opening Group C match 1-0 to Brazil.)

Jones, who wears the number 24 shirt for Yeovil Town Ladies, will travel to Jordan for the tournament which takes place between 30th September and 21st October.

This is the first time-ever England Women’s U17’s have qualified for the World Cup and playing in Group C, they will face tough opposition, with Brazil, Nigeria and North Korea all awaiting them.

Manager Jamie Sherwood said “This is excellent news for Jessie regarding the England selection. She has worked very hard to regain her spot in the squad and that goes to show the hunger, drive and desire she has had.

“I am very proud of her development over the past 18 months and the action plan devised by ourselves and others has given her the opportunity to continue her progression.

“It’s the pinnacle of anyone’s career representing your country and to do it at a World Cup has to be the highest accolade.

“We are very proud of this talented young lady and as a club we wish her every success in the coming weeks.”

England play North Korea on Saturday 1 October; Nigeria on Tuesday 4 October and Brazil on Saturday 8 October in their Group C pool games.

The full England U17 squad named by John Griffiths:

Goalkeepers: Ellie Roebuck (Manchester City), Katie Startup (Chelsea), Georgia Valentine (Reading)

Defenders: Flo Allen (Bristol City), Taylor Hinds (Arsenal), Lois Joel (Chelsea), Anna Patten (Arsenal), Kelsey Pearson (Blackburn Rovers), Grace Smith (Aston Villa), Lotte Wubben-Moy (Arsenal)

Midfielders: Anna Filbey (Arsenal), Laura Hooper (Arsenal), Jessie Jones (Yeovil Town), Hollie Olding (Chelsea), Connie Scofield (Birmingham City)

Forwards: Ellie Brazil (Birmingham City), Hannah Cain (Sheffield FC), Niamh Charles (Liverpool), Alessia Russo (Chelsea), Georgia Stanway (Manchester City), Ella Toone (Manchester City)

Report courtesy of Yeovil Town Ladies FC

 Friday 30 September – Pool games

GROUP B

Al Hassan International Stadium

13:00 – Venezuela v Germany

GROUP A

Amman International Stadium

15:00 – Mexico v New Zealand

GROUP B

Al Hassan International Stadium

16:00 – Cameroon v Canada

GROUP A

Amman International Stadium

18:00 – Jordan v  Spain

Saturday 01 October

GROUP C

King Abdullah II International Stadium

14:00 – Nigeria v Brazil

GROUP D

Prince Mohammed International Stadium

14:00 – USA v Paraguay

GROUP C

King Abdullah II International Stadium

17:00 – England v Korea DPR

GROUP D

Prince Mohammed International Stadium

17:00 – Ghana v Japan

Monday 03 October

GROUP A

Al Hassan International Stadium

14:00 – Spain v New Zealand

GROUP B

Amman International Stadium

14:00 –  Venezuela v Cameroon

GROUP A

Al Hassan International Stadium

17:00 – Jordan v Mexico

GROUP B

Amman International Stadium

17:00 – Germany v Canada

Tuesday 04 October

GROUP C

Prince Mohammed International Stadium

14:00 – Nigeria v England

GROUP D

King Abdullah II International Stadium

14:00 USA v Ghana

GROUP C

Prince Mohammed International Stadium

17:00 – Brazil v Korea DPR

GROUP D

King Abdullah II International Stadium

17:00 Paraguay v Japan

Friday 07 October

GROUP A

Prince Mohammed International Stadium

14:00 – New Zealand v Jordan

GROUP A

King Abdullah II International Stadium

14:00 Spain v Mexico

GROUP B

King Abdullah II International Stadium

17:00 – Canada v Venezuela

GROUP B

Prince Mohammed International Stadium

17:00 – Germany v Cameroon

Saturday 08 October

GROUP C

Amman International Stadium

14:00 Korea DPR v Nigeria

GROUP C

Al Hassan International Stadium

14:00 – Brazil v England

GROUP D

Amman International Stadium

17:00 – Japan v USA

GROUP D

Al Hassan International Stadium

17:00 Paraguay v Ghana

The game started well for England with Niamh Charles scoring in just 8 minutes, but Sophie Haug took full advantage of a poor back pass to score an easy equaliser after half-time.

This England side have spirit though, and Niamh Charles made it five goals in five games turning a pass from Hannah Cain into the net and earning her team a place in the World Cup.

To add a little icing to the cake Alessia Russo has been named joint top scorer [with Lorena Navarro of Spain] at the tournament with 5 goals scored in the tournament phase and 9 in qualifying!

We now await the 30 May when the drawer will take place.

Well done young Lionesses!

Having won their opening two matches, they only needed to earn a point against Serbia, however, just before half time Miljana Ivanovic put the hosts ahead.

Minutes into the second half Georgia Stanway scored a penalty to level the score and, when Serbia went down to 10 shortly afterwards with Isidora Vuckovic being shown a red card, the young Lionesses upped their game and Niamh Charles, Ellie Brazil and sub Hanah Cain adding goals.

England will now take on Germany, runners-up in Group B, on Friday in the Lionesses’ first Euro semi-final since 2013.

The two finalists and the winners of the third-place play-off will qualify for the FIFA Women’s U17 World Cup in Jordan in September.

England (4-2-3-1): 13 Katie Startup (Gillingham), 2 Flo Allen (Bristol City), 12 Anna Patten (Arsenal), 5 Grace Smith (Aston Villa), 3 Taylor Hinds (Arsenal); 18 Anna Filbey (Arsenal), 4 Hollie Olding (Brighton & Hove Albion); 7 Alessia Russo (Chelsea), 10 Georgia Stanway (Capt. Manchester City), 11 Niamh Charles (Liverpool), 9 Ellie Brazil (Birmingham City), 16 Ella Toone (Blackburn Rovers).

Substitutes: 15 Lois Joel (Chelsea) for Allen 50, 17 Hannah Cain (Sheffield FC) for Russo 67, 8 Laura Hooper (Arsenal) for Filbey 73.

Substitutes not used: 1 Ellie Roebuck (Manchester City), 6 Lotte Wubben-Moy (Arsenal), 14 Kelsey Pearson (Blackburn Rovers).

Goals: Stanway pen 47, Brazil 68, Charles 71, Cain 76.

Bookings: Russo

Head coach: John Griffiths

Referee: Tess Olofsson (Sweden)

Read more here.

In their first game of the competition they beat Norway 3-2 but this match was a different ball game with Ella Toone scoring after just 5 minutes and the young Lionesses were 4-0 up within 15 minutes.

Belarus could do nothing to stem the tide as seven of the Lionesses got on the score sheet.

England goalscorers: Ella Toone (5, 38), Anna Filbey (7, 19), Alessia Russo (15, 23), Georgia Stanway (29), Hannah Cain (71, 75), Ellie Brazil (80+1), Grace Smith (74, 80+5),

A point against Serbia in the final group match will seal a place in the last four of the Euros, with the top three teams in the competition qualifying for the FIFA Women’s U17 World Cup in Jordan.

England (4-5-1): 1 Ellie Roebuck (Manchester City); 15 Lois Joel (Chelsea), 12 Anna Patten (Arsenal), 5 Grace Smith (Aston Villa), 14 Kelsey Pearson (Blackburn Rovers); 17 Hannah Cain (Sheffield FC), 18 Anna Filbey (Arsenal), 2 Flo Allen (Bristol City), 10 Georgia Stanway (Manchester City), 16 Ella Toone (Blackburn Rovers); 7 Alessia Russo (Chelsea).

Substitutes: 9 Ellie Brazil (Birmingham City) for Russo 41, 11 Niamh Charles (Liverpool) for Filbey 56, 3 Taylor Hinds (Arsenal) for Joel 69.

Substitutes not used: 13 Katie Startup (Gillingham), 4 Hollie Olding (Brighton & Hove Albion), 6 Lotte Wubben-Moy (Arsenal), 8 Laura Hooper (Arsenal).

Head coach: John Griffiths

Referee: Ana Aguiar (Portugal)

You can read more here.