Milk Cup: NI Elite beat China 2-0 and Man Utd score 11

Northern Ireland beat China 2-0 in their opening game in the Elite section at the Milk Cup youth tournament.

Josh Doherty headed in the opener on 30 minutes and Mikhail Kennedy turned neatly in the box and fired in the second off the underside of the bar on 45 minutes.

Canada defeated Mexico 2-0 in Monday night's other Elite fixture.

Manchester United secured an 11-0 win over Australian side Gold Coast Academy in the Premier section, with Demetri Mitchell scoring four goals.

Marcus Rashford and Obi Ogochukwu grabbed two apiece and Zachary Dearnley, Travis Johnson and Jordan Thompson were also on target in the Dale Farm-sponsored competition at the Coleraine Showgrounds.

United are defending the title they won in 2013, when Mexico won the Elite category and Everton the Junior section.

Everton drew 2-2 with Middlesbrough in their Junior section opener, while Liverpool saw off Sheffield United 3-1 and Rangers got the better of Co Armagh 3-0.

After Northern Ireland's win at Ballymena, manager Stephen Craigan said he was "really impressed" by the performance of his young side, who now face Mexico on Wednesday night.

"The players have put a lot of work in and winning games gives them confidence," said the former NI international and Motherwell defender.

"We had a gameplan and they took that on board and handled the pressure and expectation well. We earned the right to take our foot off the gas in the latter stages."

The tournament was officially opened by Westlife singer Nicky Byrne, who cut the tape at the Coleraine Showgrounds on Sunday night.

Byrne played in the competition 20 years ago, twice with Dublin club Home Farm and once with Leeds United.

"This is a great honour," said Byrne at Sunday's opening ceremony.

"I played in it back in the day and it was always renowned to be the best youth football tournament in the world.

"It hasn't changed. You have just got to look at the teams that are here again this year."

MONDAY'S RESULTS

Elite

Northern Ireland 2-0 China

Canada 2-0 Mexico

Premier

Chertanovo Academy 1-3 Vendee

Newcastle Utd 2-0 Funabashi HS

RCD Espanyol 1-0 OC Blues

Co Armagh 3-0 Bohemians

CSKA Moscow 3-0 Otago

Brentford 3-2 Lusaka Academy

Partick Thistle 3-1 Craig Bellamy Foundation

Co Londonderry 0-2 Cherry Orchard

Co Fermanagh 0-0 Co Tyrone

Co Down 2-3 Co Antrim

Benfica 0-1 Club America de Mexico

Manchester Utd 11-0 Gold Coast Academy

Junior

Brentford 2-0 Watford

Global Premier Soccer 0-1 Dundalk SL

Plymouth Argyle 5-0 North Dublin SL

Co Londonderry 1-1 Motherwell

Santa Marta de Liray 1-4 Co Antrim

Southampton 4-2 Swindon Town

Queen of the South 1-1 Co Down

Japan 2-1 Sydney Utd

O'Higgins FC 3-0 Donegal Schools

SC Corinthians 4-0 Co Fermanagh

Chivas Guadalajara 4-0 Co Tyrone

Everton 2-2 Middlesbrough

Liverpool 3-1 Sheffield Utd

Co Armagh 0-3 Rangers