Post by QPR Report on Jul 31, 2009 6:09:10 GMT
Guardian
Nathan Delfouneso's late double helps England U19s beat eight-man France England U19 3-1 France U19
Jamie Jackson guardian.co.uk, Thursday 30 July 2009 20.41 BST
England Under-19s continued a summer of progress at age-group level by beating a France side which ended with only eight players to reach the European Championship final in Ukraine this afternoon. Nathan Delfouneso, an 18-year-old Aston Villa forward with four Premier League appearances, was in the right place for England, tapping in a simple first goal from close range in the second minute of extra-time. That made it 2–1 and at the close of the same period he scored again – this time rounding Rémi Pillot to score his fourth of the tournament.
France had been reduced to 10 men in the 78th-minute when Sébastien Corchia received a second yellow from Mr Hendrikus, the Dutch referee who had an erratic afternoon. Delfouneso's twin strikes sent the Under-19s into a first final of this competition since 2005, and matched the achievement of Stuart Pearce's Under-21 side, who reached the same stage of their European Championships earlier this summer in Sweden. The Under-19s will face either Serbia or Ukraine in Sunday's final, where they will hope to fare better than Pearce's team, who were beaten 4–0 by Germany.
It had threatened to be a disappointing performance and result from Brian Eastwick's side. Having begun in confident mood, hoping to replicate the form of their previous outing when they had routed Slovenia 7–1, England were disjointed during the first half. After eight minutes they found themselves behind when they allowed Magaye Gueye time to finish beyond England captain and Middlesbrough goalkeeper, Jason Steele.
Yet despite France dominating, Henri Lansbury managed to profit from some sleepy defending on 37 minutes to equalise. A free-kick from Manchester United's Daniel Drinkwater's rebounded to the Arsenal midfielder, and his 25-yard finish left Pillot little chance.
It was 1–1 at the break and, once Daniel Wellbeck began to threaten France after the restart, England slowly eased into control. It was the 18-year-old United striker who should have won a penalty after the hour when he was brought down by two France players, but Hendrikus, for some reason, did not award the kick.
In the end that decision and the 120th-minute red cards for Abdel El Kaoutari and Ryad Boudebouz, made little difference to England's afternoon.
Nathan Delfouneso's late double helps England U19s beat eight-man France England U19 3-1 France U19
Jamie Jackson guardian.co.uk, Thursday 30 July 2009 20.41 BST
England Under-19s continued a summer of progress at age-group level by beating a France side which ended with only eight players to reach the European Championship final in Ukraine this afternoon. Nathan Delfouneso, an 18-year-old Aston Villa forward with four Premier League appearances, was in the right place for England, tapping in a simple first goal from close range in the second minute of extra-time. That made it 2–1 and at the close of the same period he scored again – this time rounding Rémi Pillot to score his fourth of the tournament.
France had been reduced to 10 men in the 78th-minute when Sébastien Corchia received a second yellow from Mr Hendrikus, the Dutch referee who had an erratic afternoon. Delfouneso's twin strikes sent the Under-19s into a first final of this competition since 2005, and matched the achievement of Stuart Pearce's Under-21 side, who reached the same stage of their European Championships earlier this summer in Sweden. The Under-19s will face either Serbia or Ukraine in Sunday's final, where they will hope to fare better than Pearce's team, who were beaten 4–0 by Germany.
It had threatened to be a disappointing performance and result from Brian Eastwick's side. Having begun in confident mood, hoping to replicate the form of their previous outing when they had routed Slovenia 7–1, England were disjointed during the first half. After eight minutes they found themselves behind when they allowed Magaye Gueye time to finish beyond England captain and Middlesbrough goalkeeper, Jason Steele.
Yet despite France dominating, Henri Lansbury managed to profit from some sleepy defending on 37 minutes to equalise. A free-kick from Manchester United's Daniel Drinkwater's rebounded to the Arsenal midfielder, and his 25-yard finish left Pillot little chance.
It was 1–1 at the break and, once Daniel Wellbeck began to threaten France after the restart, England slowly eased into control. It was the 18-year-old United striker who should have won a penalty after the hour when he was brought down by two France players, but Hendrikus, for some reason, did not award the kick.
In the end that decision and the 120th-minute red cards for Abdel El Kaoutari and Ryad Boudebouz, made little difference to England's afternoon.