England 2-2 Germany

International U16 Four-Nations Tournament
Monday 18th November 2002,
Stadium of Light 
Attendance: 5,464

A fortuitous late equaliser robbed John McDermott's Under-16s of second place in the 4-nations international tournament. With Spain brushing aside Holland by three goals to nil early in the evening,

England and Germany were realistically competing for the runners-up spot. However, the match was still a lively affair between historic rivals that neither side wanted to lose.

A very determined and enthusiastic England team began the game with skipper Mark Noble being penalised for a strong challenge after only 10 seconds, swiftly followed by one of similar force from James Simmonds. But Germany were not to be out done and a physically competitive opening period followed.

The home side found their form first, however and the young lions imposed themselves on Germany. With Nathan Doyle and Noble dominating the middle of the park and Tyrone Berry and Lee Holmes tormenting either full back, England looked more than capable of creating chances.

At the other end, the lone figure of Kevin-Prince Boateng was Germany's only outlet as they struggled to break down McDermott's boys, but he almost found some joy when a mistake by Kerrea Gilbert set him through on goal, but the covering Billy Jones snuffed out any danger.

With 13 minutes gone England did find the back of the net, but Doyle's diving header at the far post, meeting Holmes inswinging free kick, was ruled out by the linesman's flag. But ten minutes later, the Derby County midfielder was not going to be denied.

An exquisite pass from deep by Holmes beat the German back line and was met by Marc Walton. He touched the ball beyond the advancing Mollering before being floored by the keeper's challenge. Up stepped Doyle and without any hesitation sent the penalty perpetrator the wrong way.

Germany then stepped up their tempo and were forcing England into errors and on 28 minutes should have drawn level. A fast passing move from the halfway line ended with a defence splitting pass through to Sami Khediri. As the Stuttgart boy came face to face with Sean Lake, his delicate chip was well executed, but Lake's save and catch was even better. England answered back in the closing minutes of the first 45 when the impressive Holmes picked out Simmonds unmarked on the edge of the box. He controlled first time with his chest and volleyed with his left but was narrowly wide.

England returned after the break and were once again lively from the off. Four minutes in and Walton was in space with support on the corner of the German box. He rolled the ball wide for Berry and made his way into the area. Berry took one touch and whipped in a delightful cross for Walton to nod down to Holmes six yards out but the normally clinical Derby County youngster scuffed his chance for a well-deserved goal as the ball hit Ozler Selcuk and was like collecting grass for the keeper. 

But England doubled the lead only two minutes later. Another run in from the left from tricky Tyrone forced the best out of Mollering again as he turned the shot away for a corner. Holmes' delivery from the left was flicked on by Doyle and headed home at the back post by Berry's low dive.

England made two changes as Berry and 'keeper Lake made way for Simon Dawkins and Joe Lewis but six minutes later the new, beanpole stopper was left scratching his head as German drew level.

Ozler's hopeful looping ball into the box from the right hand corner flag swerved towards the far post and bounced into the net off the frame.

Germany's spirits were lifted and they began to look strong as they looked for a way to go all square and earn the point that would give them, and not England, the second spot.

With 59 minutes on the clock, Marc Walton was sent clear and had a great opportunity to supply Noble with a pass in acres of space that could have tied the game up for the team in Red. But his in experience showed, as he opted to take the defence on himself and was duly tackled.

England kept plugging away for a goal that would clinch the match as Germany sought an equaliser the other end, and with just five minutes left on Jeff Winter's watch, uncertainty in England's defence led to Germany picking up the point that wanted to finish as competition runners-up.

Dennis Aogo fed a ball along the ground into the England area, but as Lewis and Jones both slid in to block, the ball cannoned into the air and dropped kindly for substitute Yilmaz to guide into the empty net with his head.

Simon Walton almost scored a winner in the final minute as he strode on to Dawkins through ball into the box but the feet of Mollering kept the score level at two-two.

Though losing the lead, to two freak goals and finishing third in the final standings, England and John McDermott can be proud with what they have achieved.

"I felt we competed very well tonight against a very physically imposing German team," McDermott said after the final whistle.

"The players put their bodies on the line and we couldn't have asked for more in terms of commitment."

A relatively young side compared to their opponents, many of the players having only taken part in one or two internationals before the competition started, proved they can compete with the best teams in Europe.

He added: "During the weekend we asked them to put in their best performance in the final game and they didn't let us down.

"They are a very young group of players and will become both mentally and physically stronger."

And given a few more games to develop and gain experience at the highest level, the Under 16s could certainly achieve what McDermott is looking for - tournament success next summer.

Jamie Bradbury in Sunderland

England: Lake (Lewis 47), Jones, Simon Walton, Simmonds (Green 77), Marc Walton, (Ashikodi 68) Holmes, Parker, Gilbert, Doyle, Noble (c), Berry (Dawkins 49)
Subs not used: Ashton, Muamba

Goals: Doyle 23 (pen), Berry 47

Germany: Mollering, Karan, Flessers (c), Kruska (Glogic 82), Vo (Faga 41). Khedira, Grebe, Webs (Yilmaz 41), Prince-Boateng (Bertram 81), Ozler
Subs not used: Schafers, Hess, Adlung

Goals: Ozler 53, Yilmaz 77

Referee: Jeff Winter