UEFA Preparatory Tournament
2pm, Saturday 7 October 2006
England, Spain, Italy, Austria
Ried im Innskreis, Austria
Brian Eastick's young side got off to a promising start in Austria, dominating much of their opener with European Champions Spain and taking a deserved draw thanks to a late equaliser.
The first half was filled with quality play with both teams playing attractive attacking football, Eastick's Young Lions edged it in terms of goal attempts however as the first period ended goalless.
Immediately after half time a lapse of concentration from the England defence allowed Spain to take the lead through Adrian Gonzalez. From then on England had the majority of possession without showing any cutting edge in the final third of the pitch.
In the 63rd minute a fine strike from Hogan Ephraim went just wide, then two minutes to play a great pass from Rossi Jarvis put Giles Barnes clear on goal, only for the Derby striker to slide his shot wide of the far post.
In the 90th minute the Spanish were awarded a free kick on the edge of the area, but fortunately for England the shot was fired over the goal and they still held out hope of drawing level.
England remained positive and pressed for their deserved equaliser right until the final minute. England got their just rewards when a clever pass from substitute Sam Hewson found Kelvin Etuhu who quickly fired in a dangerous cross across the face of goal. The effort was turned into the Spanish goal by the defender Omar Hernandes in making a desperate attempt to clear from the line.
Everyone watching would agree that the match was of a particularly high standard with both teams playing some excellent football. It is expected that England will make a number of changes for today's match against the hosts Austria.
Teams:
England: 1 David Button (Tottenham Hotspur), 2 Mark Little (Wolverhampton Wanderers), 3 Ryan Bertrand (Chelsea), 4 Fabrice Muamba (c) (on loan to Birmingham City) (Michael Johnson (Man City) 86), 5 Seb Hines (Middlesbrough), 6 Michael Mancienne (Chelsea), 7 Giles Barnes (Derby County), 8 Rossi Jarvis (Norwich City), 9 Craig Lindfield (Liverpool) (Kelvin Etuhu (Man City) 69), 10 Hogan Ephraim (West Ham Utd), 11 Adam Hammill (West Ham Utd) (Sam Hewson 86)
Subs not used: Luke Daniels (West Brom), Elliot Omozusi (Fulham), Paul Anderson (Liverpool), Adam Lallana (Southampton)
Spain: 1 Mario Fernandez, 2 Alexandre Fernandez, 3 Javier Cantero, 4 Oscar Reyes, 7 Aaron Niguez (Javier Modrego 62), 8 Mark Crosas, 9 Emilio Nsue, 10 Pedro Mosquera, 11 Adrian Gonzalez (Claudio Giraldez 82), 14 Jokin Arcaya, 15 Omar Hernandes
Subs not used: 5 Raul Goni, 12 Ruben Dario Verdu, 13 Yoel Rodriguez, 16 Joachim Calderon, 17 Jesus Berrocal