ENGLAND PARTIALLY SIGHTED

 

UKRAINE PARTIALLY SIGHTED

 

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Partially Sighted World Championships
National Cycling Centre, Manchester
Tuesday 14 December 2004

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15 December 2004    
Highlights of England v Ukraine in Manchester.
   
Highlights from England's win over Cyprus

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The England Partially Sighted Team's attempts to emulate '66 and win the World Championships on home soil have ended at the hands of Ukraine.

Ukraine's 3-0 victory means they top Group A and go into the Semi-Finals, whilst England will now play-off for fifth place.

Things looked promising for England prior to the match, as their resounding 19-2 victory over Cyprus had given them a superior goal difference, and left them requiring only a draw to progress into the Semis.

Despite this, it was Ukraine who sat back early on and invited England to find a way through. England looked nervous, however, and vulnerable on the break - only two world-class saves from England 'keeper Barry George kept the scores level.

Just as England seemed to be stamping some authority on the match, Ukraine opened the scoring on 13 minutes with a well-struck shot that deflected off the heels of Colin McCall.

1-0 it remained until half-time and after the break things followed a similar pattern, with Ukraine more than happy to soak up the England pressure. The tactic almost backfired 12 minutes into the half when Steve Beevers released a rasping shot which was palmed over the bar.

With time running out England continued to push forward and inevitably gaps formed at the back, which Ukraine exploited to the full.

A goal from a direct free-kick made things difficult for England and a piledriver with three minutes remaining ended their World Championship challenge.

England strived to turn things round in the last few minutes in front of a 700-strong crowd in the National Cycling Centre in Manchester. They were denied even a consolation, however, as the Ukraine 'keeper smothered at the feet of Wayne Perry in the last minute.

At the final whistle the England players were naturally deflated, and Graham Keeley will need to pick his men up before their match with Italy at 2.00pm on Thursday. The winner will then play in the 5/6th place play-off on Friday.