As if going to watch England play in the quarter-final of the World Cup wasn't enough, one lucky school pupil managed to meet new national coach Steve McClaren, Fifa president Sepp Blatter and Portugal manager Felipe Scolari on the pitch just minutes before kick-off.

Ben Polk, 13, from Hardwick, Banbury, said it was an experience he would never forget and, after words of encouragement from Mr McClaren, the Oxford United youth team player dreams that one day he will be able to run on to the field as an England player.

Ben was one of 11 youngsters from Drayton School, in Banbury, to suffer the heartache of finding out the tickets they thought they had reserved for an early round England game were fake.

But, with the intervention of Prime Minister Tony Blair and Fifa, more tickets were found and the 10 lads and one girl finally arrived at the 52,000-capacity stadium in Gelsenkirchen late on Friday after a coach journey through France.

Ben found out he was getting to go on to the pitch just hours before the game, when teachers David Allen and Jan Harding were informed that Sepp Blatter had requested to meet one child from each of the English schools which were affected by the ticket fraud scam. Ben, who spent 10 minutes on the field under the closed roof, said: "I went mad when I was told I couldn't believe it.

"I got out on to the pitch and met Steve McClaren. He told me to keep working hard for Oxford United and one day I might play for England.

"I gave Sepp Blatter a card to say thank-you for organising the tickets for us, and he thanked me."

But Ben was less impressed with Portugal manager 'Big Phil' Scolari: "He was a bit big headed, and when I told him Gerrard was my favourite player he said Gerrard's rubbish. He wished me good luck, but not today."

The schoolchildren were also pleased with their seats, which were near the corner flag at the opposite end to where the penalties were taken.

Chris James, 13, added: "Although we are gutted about the result, it was wonderful! When the players were coming out of the tunnel, some of us got to see them quite close up."

Ben said: "Watching Liverpool is amazing, but the noise and atmosphere there was out of this league."

PE teacher Mr Allen, who only got to go on the trip at the last moment because a colleague couldn't make it, said: "There were so many England fans, but it was really good natured."