England

0-2

Russia


2005 CP-ISRA World Championships, Second Phase
New London, Connecticut
Friday 08 July 2005

England ended the Second Phase of the CP World Games with heads held high after a gritty display against group winners Russia.

Reduced to a squad of nine eligible players through suspension and injury, Paul Harrison opted to give John 'Dave' Kelly his first start in a hitherto untried back three combination with Andy Taylor and Dominic Benn.

This new formation demanded an extremely high work rate from the back line and shielding midfielders Nash and Barke, but they we're not found wanting as they harried and hurried the usually composed Russians.

Just as this strategy seemed to have given England a foothold in the match, an unforced error allowed the Russians to score with ease.

However unlike the Dutch game, England steeled themselves, blocking, tackling and driving the Russians away from their box, ensuring that their opponents only had the slimmest of advantages at the break.

The beginning of the second period mirrored the first, with England straining every sinew to keep the Russians at arms length, until another unforced error enabled their opponents to roll in a second.

Barker's drilled free kick sparked the Russian keeper into a fine save, but England spent much of the half in resolute defence.

Ben Nash was outstanding in limiting the Russians to a handful of openings, and Steve Prior dug deep into his repertoire to produce several magnificent reaction saves.

The result confirmed England's position as fourth in the second phase group and means they will face the USA in the 7/8 place play off.

England: S Prior, J Kelly, A Taylor, D Benn, M Barker (M Wilson), B Nash, J Smith.