England

4-3

Brazil

Bajada 38

 

 

Curley 48

 

 

Watson 84

 

 

Earle 89

In an exciting and tense match, England produced a gutsy performance that was full of character to come from behind three times to win a memorable match in Bollnäs on Friday evening.

It was the first time that the England LD squad had played Brazil in any competition and the pace of the game did not diminish for 90 minutes.

The Three Lions started very brightly with the new forward partnership of Dean Earle and Lele Bajada causing the Brazilian defence a number of problems.

Brazil found it hard to get out of their half with the English defence dominate, in the 25th minute Brazil scored against the run of play, Joåo Marcelo Brito took a free kick from close to the half way line which deceived Wesley Jackman and floated over his head into the goal, 1-0 Brazil.

England did not lose their composure and continued to dominate the midfield, Scott Curley was immense, he drove England forward and after a scramble in the Brazilian box Lele Bajada forced his way clear to score his eighth goal of the tournament in the 38th minute.

England’s joy was short lived as incredibly Brito repeated his first goal beating Jackman from the same distance, and at half time England were behind 2 - 1.

The second half started with England pressing for the equaliser, Ronnie Watson delivered a pinpoint corner for Scott Curley to finish with a powerful header.

The Three Lions had hardly completed their goal celebration when Brazil scored in the 50th minute after some poor defending let De Santos coolly slot home.

For the first time in the match England looked rattled and to compound the situation Dean Chandler got sent off in the 63rd minute for violent conduct. Down to 10 men and 3-2 down the three lions responded with passion, competing for every ball and pressing forward.

They were rewarded in the 84th minute when from a worked David Young throw, Scott Curley flicked the ball on for Ronnie Watson to bravely score with a diving header.

Sensing a victory England were relentless, and continued to attack in waves. In the 89th minute Lele Bajada turned and unleashed a shot from 20 yards that rebounded off the underside of the bar and Dean Earle had the simplest of headers to sent England into the semi finals.

England coach Jeff Davis, speaking to this website, said: "This is a fantastic result, the lads really performed when it looked like the game was slipping always from us. I cannot praise the players enough, they kept to the game plan even when under immense pressure and to beat Brazil is always special".

The Three Lions now play Hungary in the semi-final on Sunday evening.

England: 1 Wesley Jackman, 2 Grant Smith (Cole 80th), 3 Ricky Alexander, 4 Dean Chandler, 5 David Young, 6 Scott Curley, 7 Dean Earle, 8 Sam Marks (Lineker 87th), 9 Lele Bajada, 10 Ronnie Watson, 11 James Morris