Post by QPR Report on Aug 12, 2009 8:03:44 GMT
FA Men's U20 Team
Five star England cruise to victory
By Nicholas Veevers at the Hawthorns - Tuesday, 11 August, 2009
Young Lions smash five past Montenegro in World Cup send off.
England’s final preparation for next month’s FIFA U20 World Cup in Egypt saw them pick up a convincing win over Montenegro at the Hawthorns on Tuesday and it was a game in which victory never really looked in doubt.
Manchester United duo Febian Brandy and Tom Cleverley got a brace apiece before substitute Tope Obadeyi added a late fifth, but it really could have been an even more emphatic scoreline had England made their opportunities and territorial dominance count.
With tough games against the likes of Ghana and Uruguay to come for Brian Eastick’s men in Egypt, it was just a matter of getting some time on the pitch together and whilst they may only have been up against limited opponents, it was a confident and slick display from England throughout.
On a balmy night in the West Midlands, England started with a good tempo and they could have been ahead in just the fourth minute, when Hal Robson-Kanu neatly worked his way onto a Jack Cork through-ball and into the box but his angled finish went just wide of the far post.
They had an even better chance two minutes later when defender Koprivica Mijodrag inexplicably handled Ross Jenkins’ cross to give away a penalty. Cleverley confidently stepped up, but goalkeeper Giljen Vladan guessed right and made a fine save low to his right.
Jenkins then tested Vladan himself with a low shot from the edge of the box, when Montenegro could only half clear a corner but the keeper was again well placed to make a good save.
England had the lead they deserved in the 13th minute though, when another fluent move down the right saw Javan Vidal slip a pass into the box and when Brandy beat the offside trap, he finished well past Vladan with a low shot.
Brandy then turned provider in the 20th minute, when he robbed the ball off Milos M Radulovic thirty yards from goal before picking out the lively Marc Albrighton, whose powerful shot flew just wide of the target.
At the other end, Declan Rudd was forced into his first meaningful action of the evening in the 34th minute when Milos M Radulovic struck a powerful free-kick at goal but the England goalkeeper was more than equal to it and made a comfortable save.
Robson-Kanu then came close with a right-footer as half time drew near, following a fine run down the left by Joe Bennett after exchanging a swift one-two with Cleverley.
England capped their dominance of the first half on the stroke of half time, when Bennett’s darting run down the left saw him chip a ball back into the area and when Brandy connected with a full volley, he almost broke the net.
Eastick made two changes at the break, with Jenkins and Albrighton replaced by Adam Clayton and Jordan Henderson in midfield and just three minutes after the re-start, the Young Lions added another to their tally as a ball was threaded through to Cleverley on the left hand side of the area and he comfortably slid a shot under Vladan and into the bottom corner.
Montenegro still posed a threat though and Rudd again had to be sharp to keep out Banda Sead’s snap shot in the 66th minute.
Brandy was then inches away from completing his hat-trick in the 75th minute, as Obadeyi’s cross into the box zipped just in front of his outstretched foot.
England added another to make it four with eight minutes left, when Cleverley got his second of the night by skilfully finding some space for himself before curling a low shot into the bottom corner of the goal.
The scoring was then completed when Obadeyi broke through the middle before applying a deft finish with his left foot to leave the Hawthorns crowd happy with their night's football and England ready for the challenges that lie ahead in Egypt.
www.thefa.com/England/MensUnder20s/England%20v%20Montenegro/2009/England%20v%20Montenegro/england_montenegro_report_110809.aspx
FA - Men's Under-21 Team
New-look Under-21s draw comfort in Holland
By Jamie Bradbury in Groningen - Tuesday, 11 August, 2009
Goalless draw in Groningen for England's first game of a new campaign
England Under-21s kicked off their new season with a 0-0 draw in Holland on a night of few real openings but a lot for Stuart Pearce to take away as he looks ahead to next month’s first two UEFA Championship qualifiers.
Pearce named Micah Richards as captain and started with all eight of his squad members who were in Sweden in June, with Fabien Delph, James Vaughan and debutant Junior Stanislas making up the starting eleven.
And Pearce would also give debuts to five other players as he saw his full squad of 19 play some part in the game.
In a match where chances were at a premium, both sides were restricted to shots from range. While England had Delph in midfield with Danny Rose and Stanislas on the wings looking most likely to create something, Holland had their own danger-men.
Middlesbrough’s Marvin Emnes was lively on the right while over the other side Diego Biseswar produced a couple of efforts at goal, but nothing that would trouble Scott Loach.
The defences at both ends were looking sturdy. The Three Lions had Jack Rodwell protecting their back four, as Leroy Fer was doing a similar job for the home side.
And it was a defender who had the best chance of the first period on the stroke of half-time. Richards picked the ball up deep in his own half and marauded forward with pace into Dutch territory. A quick one-two with Stanislas saw the Manchester City man on the edge of the box with a clear sight at goal.
His shot was low and hard but Newcastle United ‘keeper Tim Krul was equal to it, smothering it at the second attempt.
Holland made three changes at the break while Pearce opted for the one, replacing James Vaughan with Daniel Sturridge to give the Chelsea striker his Under-21 debut.
Emnes continued to have a say on proceedings and he linked up well with Arsenal forward Nacer Barazite to see a chance open for him six yards out, but Michael Mancienne blocked well. His directed header just a few minutes later had Frank Fielding, on for Scott Loach at half-time, diving across his goal, but the ball went wide of the post.
England then came close from a Stanislas free-kick after Lee Cattermole was fouled, but the West Ham winger’s curling shot was dealt with comfortably by Krul.
Pearce continued with the changes and brought on the rest of his subs, with first Under-21s outings for Chris Smalling, Jack Wilshere, Andy Carroll and Freddie Sears.
But it was Fielding who was called into action again, pulling off two good saves in the closing 20 minutes, which had the otherwise subdued Dutch crowd in the Euroborg Stadium excited.
And Dutch substitute Vurnon Anita, who looked just like legendary midfielder Edgar Davids, almost snatched it in the closing minutes with a vicious dipping drive from 25 yards. The ball had Fielding beaten, but it rattled the bar and bounced away to safety.
Holland
1 Tim Krul, 2 Daryl Janmaat, 3 Rens van Eijden (12 Jeffrey Bruma, 46), 4 Erik Pieters (c) (13 Daley Blind, 46), 5 Nicky Kuiper, 6 Mitchell Donald (15 Vurnon Anita, 64), 7 Marvin Emnes (17 Joshua John, 64), 8 Leroy Fer 14 (Jan-Arie van der Heijden, 46), 9 Nacer Barazite, 10 Siem de Jong, 11 Diego Biseswar
Subs 16 Leonard Nienhuis, 18 John Goossens, 19 Kelvin Leerdam
Coach Cor Pot
England
1 Scott Loach (13 Frank Fielding, 46), 2 Micah Richards (c) (12 Kyle Naughton,58), 3 Kieran Gibbs (14 Ryan Bertrand, 58), 4 Jack Rodwell (15 Chris Smalling, 58), 5 Michael Mancienne, 6 James Tomkins, 7 Junior Stanislas (18 Freddie Sears, 83) , 8 Lee Cattermole (17 Andy Carroll, 71), 9 James Vaughan (19 Daniel Sturridge, 46), 10 Fabien Delph (16 Jack Wilshere, 58), 11 Danny Rose
Coach Stuart Pearce
Kit Colours
Holland Orange shirts, white shirts, orange socks
England White shirts, blue shorts, white socks
Match Officials
Referee Babak Rafati (Ger)
Assistants Holger Henschel and Christian Bornhorst
Fourth Official Michel Winter (Ned)
www.thefa.com/England/MensUnder-21Team/MatchCentre/2009/England%20v%20Holland/HollandvEngland_report.aspx
Five star England cruise to victory
By Nicholas Veevers at the Hawthorns - Tuesday, 11 August, 2009
Young Lions smash five past Montenegro in World Cup send off.
England’s final preparation for next month’s FIFA U20 World Cup in Egypt saw them pick up a convincing win over Montenegro at the Hawthorns on Tuesday and it was a game in which victory never really looked in doubt.
Manchester United duo Febian Brandy and Tom Cleverley got a brace apiece before substitute Tope Obadeyi added a late fifth, but it really could have been an even more emphatic scoreline had England made their opportunities and territorial dominance count.
With tough games against the likes of Ghana and Uruguay to come for Brian Eastick’s men in Egypt, it was just a matter of getting some time on the pitch together and whilst they may only have been up against limited opponents, it was a confident and slick display from England throughout.
On a balmy night in the West Midlands, England started with a good tempo and they could have been ahead in just the fourth minute, when Hal Robson-Kanu neatly worked his way onto a Jack Cork through-ball and into the box but his angled finish went just wide of the far post.
They had an even better chance two minutes later when defender Koprivica Mijodrag inexplicably handled Ross Jenkins’ cross to give away a penalty. Cleverley confidently stepped up, but goalkeeper Giljen Vladan guessed right and made a fine save low to his right.
Jenkins then tested Vladan himself with a low shot from the edge of the box, when Montenegro could only half clear a corner but the keeper was again well placed to make a good save.
England had the lead they deserved in the 13th minute though, when another fluent move down the right saw Javan Vidal slip a pass into the box and when Brandy beat the offside trap, he finished well past Vladan with a low shot.
Brandy then turned provider in the 20th minute, when he robbed the ball off Milos M Radulovic thirty yards from goal before picking out the lively Marc Albrighton, whose powerful shot flew just wide of the target.
At the other end, Declan Rudd was forced into his first meaningful action of the evening in the 34th minute when Milos M Radulovic struck a powerful free-kick at goal but the England goalkeeper was more than equal to it and made a comfortable save.
Robson-Kanu then came close with a right-footer as half time drew near, following a fine run down the left by Joe Bennett after exchanging a swift one-two with Cleverley.
England capped their dominance of the first half on the stroke of half time, when Bennett’s darting run down the left saw him chip a ball back into the area and when Brandy connected with a full volley, he almost broke the net.
Eastick made two changes at the break, with Jenkins and Albrighton replaced by Adam Clayton and Jordan Henderson in midfield and just three minutes after the re-start, the Young Lions added another to their tally as a ball was threaded through to Cleverley on the left hand side of the area and he comfortably slid a shot under Vladan and into the bottom corner.
Montenegro still posed a threat though and Rudd again had to be sharp to keep out Banda Sead’s snap shot in the 66th minute.
Brandy was then inches away from completing his hat-trick in the 75th minute, as Obadeyi’s cross into the box zipped just in front of his outstretched foot.
England added another to make it four with eight minutes left, when Cleverley got his second of the night by skilfully finding some space for himself before curling a low shot into the bottom corner of the goal.
The scoring was then completed when Obadeyi broke through the middle before applying a deft finish with his left foot to leave the Hawthorns crowd happy with their night's football and England ready for the challenges that lie ahead in Egypt.
www.thefa.com/England/MensUnder20s/England%20v%20Montenegro/2009/England%20v%20Montenegro/england_montenegro_report_110809.aspx
FA - Men's Under-21 Team
New-look Under-21s draw comfort in Holland
By Jamie Bradbury in Groningen - Tuesday, 11 August, 2009
Goalless draw in Groningen for England's first game of a new campaign
England Under-21s kicked off their new season with a 0-0 draw in Holland on a night of few real openings but a lot for Stuart Pearce to take away as he looks ahead to next month’s first two UEFA Championship qualifiers.
Pearce named Micah Richards as captain and started with all eight of his squad members who were in Sweden in June, with Fabien Delph, James Vaughan and debutant Junior Stanislas making up the starting eleven.
And Pearce would also give debuts to five other players as he saw his full squad of 19 play some part in the game.
In a match where chances were at a premium, both sides were restricted to shots from range. While England had Delph in midfield with Danny Rose and Stanislas on the wings looking most likely to create something, Holland had their own danger-men.
Middlesbrough’s Marvin Emnes was lively on the right while over the other side Diego Biseswar produced a couple of efforts at goal, but nothing that would trouble Scott Loach.
The defences at both ends were looking sturdy. The Three Lions had Jack Rodwell protecting their back four, as Leroy Fer was doing a similar job for the home side.
And it was a defender who had the best chance of the first period on the stroke of half-time. Richards picked the ball up deep in his own half and marauded forward with pace into Dutch territory. A quick one-two with Stanislas saw the Manchester City man on the edge of the box with a clear sight at goal.
His shot was low and hard but Newcastle United ‘keeper Tim Krul was equal to it, smothering it at the second attempt.
Holland made three changes at the break while Pearce opted for the one, replacing James Vaughan with Daniel Sturridge to give the Chelsea striker his Under-21 debut.
Emnes continued to have a say on proceedings and he linked up well with Arsenal forward Nacer Barazite to see a chance open for him six yards out, but Michael Mancienne blocked well. His directed header just a few minutes later had Frank Fielding, on for Scott Loach at half-time, diving across his goal, but the ball went wide of the post.
England then came close from a Stanislas free-kick after Lee Cattermole was fouled, but the West Ham winger’s curling shot was dealt with comfortably by Krul.
Pearce continued with the changes and brought on the rest of his subs, with first Under-21s outings for Chris Smalling, Jack Wilshere, Andy Carroll and Freddie Sears.
But it was Fielding who was called into action again, pulling off two good saves in the closing 20 minutes, which had the otherwise subdued Dutch crowd in the Euroborg Stadium excited.
And Dutch substitute Vurnon Anita, who looked just like legendary midfielder Edgar Davids, almost snatched it in the closing minutes with a vicious dipping drive from 25 yards. The ball had Fielding beaten, but it rattled the bar and bounced away to safety.
Holland
1 Tim Krul, 2 Daryl Janmaat, 3 Rens van Eijden (12 Jeffrey Bruma, 46), 4 Erik Pieters (c) (13 Daley Blind, 46), 5 Nicky Kuiper, 6 Mitchell Donald (15 Vurnon Anita, 64), 7 Marvin Emnes (17 Joshua John, 64), 8 Leroy Fer 14 (Jan-Arie van der Heijden, 46), 9 Nacer Barazite, 10 Siem de Jong, 11 Diego Biseswar
Subs 16 Leonard Nienhuis, 18 John Goossens, 19 Kelvin Leerdam
Coach Cor Pot
England
1 Scott Loach (13 Frank Fielding, 46), 2 Micah Richards (c) (12 Kyle Naughton,58), 3 Kieran Gibbs (14 Ryan Bertrand, 58), 4 Jack Rodwell (15 Chris Smalling, 58), 5 Michael Mancienne, 6 James Tomkins, 7 Junior Stanislas (18 Freddie Sears, 83) , 8 Lee Cattermole (17 Andy Carroll, 71), 9 James Vaughan (19 Daniel Sturridge, 46), 10 Fabien Delph (16 Jack Wilshere, 58), 11 Danny Rose
Coach Stuart Pearce
Kit Colours
Holland Orange shirts, white shirts, orange socks
England White shirts, blue shorts, white socks
Match Officials
Referee Babak Rafati (Ger)
Assistants Holger Henschel and Christian Bornhorst
Fourth Official Michel Winter (Ned)
www.thefa.com/England/MensUnder-21Team/MatchCentre/2009/England%20v%20Holland/HollandvEngland_report.aspx