England 2-1 Holland

International U16 Four-Nations Tournament
Friday 15th November 2002, 8pm kick off 
Gateshead International Stadium 

England's Under-16s take their first points of the 4-nations tournament with a 2-1 win over Holland in Gateshead.

It was clear from the opening minutes that John McDermott had banished any disappointment from Tuesday's defeat against Spain out of the young England players' minds.

 

From the kick off there was a real purpose about the way young lions set about attacking and pressurising the Dutch defence. Once again playing their 4-3-3 formation, England played with an open expansive style.

Using both flanks, they regularly got in behind the Dutch defence with excellent support coming through from midfield.

Aston Villa's Paul Green shone during the first half. Playing at right back, he showed tremendous ability on the ball and supported Tyrone Barry down the flank throughout.

Holland spent most of the early stages on the back foot, yet somehow found themselves in front on 17 minutes. Striker Maxwell Abubakar was flattened in the box by Arsenal's Fabrice Muamba and referee Matt Messias showed no hesitation in awarding a penalty.

Dutch skipper Rick Kluijskens put the ball on the spot and drilled the ball straight past Everton's Sean Lake in the England goal.

Despite what could well have been a morale-sapping goal to concede, England showed great mental strength and stuck to their attacking principles.

The game really came alive as the half wore on and England created wave after wave of attacks. However, the goal had clearly given Holland more confidence, with goalscorer Kluijskens beginning to pull the strings in midfield.

England finally drew level in the final minutes of the first half. Awarded a free kick 15 yards outside the Dutch penalty area, skipper Mark Noble delivered a superb inswinging ball towards Moses Ashikoki.

The Millwall striker miscued his first touch, but was quick to react to the second ball, steering it around Boy Bleeker in the Dutch goal. 

Moments later England looked to have taken the lead, but their joy was short lived when the assistant referee flagged for offside.

With very little separating the two teams of the initial sparring in the second half, the Dutch were suddenly left with a mountain to climb when skipper Kluijskens was dismissed for a second bookable offence.

England quickly seized the initiative and started to make the extra man count. Captain Mark Noble, outstanding throughout, let rip with a majestic 25-yard effort that forced Bleeker into an acrobatic tip over the bar.

As the Dutch changed their shape, leaving just one player up front, Derby's Lee Holmes grew in stature. The skilful left sided midfielder, with ability to beat his man and a deft touch, began to boss things as England searched for a winner against the 10 men.

Ashikodi looked to have doubled his and England's tally with only a few minutes remaining. After receiving and brilliant controlling the ball on the penalty spot, he unleashed a fierce shot, which produced a stunning save from Bleeker.

As the clock began to run down, Holmes once again picked up the ball on the left hand side. A clever ball inside to his club team mate Nathan Doyle presented the substitute with an opening.

Doyle drilled his shot low and hard. As the ball was travelling goal bound, it took a slight deflection off a Dutch defender and past the very unfortunate Bleeker, giving England the lead.

It was nothing short of what McDermott's players deserved for a skilful, attacking display and now they go into Monday's match with Germany knowing they still have a chance of winning the competition.

More importantly, they have shown that England have yet another crop of talented players progressing through the ranks.


Teams

England: Lake (Everton), Green (Villa), Ashton (Charlton), Muamba (Arsenal) replaced by Doyle (Derby), Jones (Crewe), Walton (Leeds) replaced by Gilbert (Arsenal), Simmonds (Chelsea), Holmes (Derby), Noble (West Ham), Ashikoki (Millwall) replaced by Walton (Newcastle), Berry (C Palace) replaced by Dawkins (Tottenham)

Goals: Ashikodi 43, Doyle 75

Holland: Bleeker, H Drost (Herenveen), J Drost (Herenveen), Kluijskens (Vitesse Arnhem), Van Der Voot (Feyenoord) replaced by Van Kesteren (Roda), Van Leeuwen (Feyenoord) replaced by Sterk (Ajax), Lenz (Dortrecht) replaced by Van Berlo (PSV), Potuyt (Feyenoord), Bruinier (Vittese Arnhem), Zijler (Ajax) replaced by Wakelkamp (Utrecht), Abubakar (Dortrecht) replaced by Kieft (Ajax)

Goals: Kluijskens 17

In the evening's other game, Germany and Spain finished 1-1, click here for a match report.

From Adrian Bevington at Gateshead's International Stadium