England 2-0 Ukraine

UEFA Under 17 Championship
Finals, Group B
04 May 2004
Péteseilles, Avoine

Goals from Shane Paul and Nathan Doyle have set England on their way in the opening game of the UEFA U17 Championship in France.

The tournament's opening clash was a compelling encounter but the blowy conditions and downpour made it tough for both sides. England started well, though, and James Walker came close heading over in the second minute following a neat interchange between Kyel Reid and Chris James.

Nathan Ashton then created a good chance for Paul, but the Charlton defender's cross was just too high for Paul to apply a firm contact.

The Three Lions' central defensive pairing of Richard Stearman and David Wheater kept a tight reign at the other end, dealing well with the Ukraine threat.

After the break, John Peacock's Young Lions came out strong and an early James shot forced the Ukraine stopper Oleksandr Rybka to save. Ukraine also had their pressure, but England looked more likely to open the deadlock and though Ashton's long-range strike was turned over the bar, England were soon ahead.

On the hour mark Paul was on hand to capitalise on uncertainties in the Ukraine rearguard and the prolific Aston Villa man stroked into the net.

As England pressed for a second to put the game beyond their opponents, Ukraine had an opportunity to bring the scores level when Oleksiy Remezovskyy's deflected shot drifted just past Alnwick's post. However, with just seconds left on the referees watch, our boys put the game to bed.

A decisive passing move set Nathan Doyle free. The Derby County youngster unleashed a powerful drive from 20 yards, which took a massive deflection, wrong-footing Rybka.

England now face holders Portugal, who knocked Peacock's young Lions out in last year's semi-final, in the second Group B game on Thursday.

Team Details

England: Ben Alnwick, Richard Stearman, Nathan Ashton, Mark Noble (c), David Wheater, Nathan Doyle, Chris James, Gary Roberts (Simon Walton 73), Shane Paul, James Walker (Levi Porter 80), Kyel Reid (Fraizer Campbell 63)
Subs not used: Ben Parker, Mark Davies, Billy Jones, Joe Lewis

Goals: Paul 60, Doyle 79

Ukraine: Kudianov, Remezovskyy, Dorosh, Yakovenko (Zanevskyy 59), Dedechko, Oliynyk (Sakhnyuk 59), Gladkyy, Bryzh, Olishchuk, Nakorenok (Tsykoliya 66), Rybka
Subs not used: Syamin, Korotetskiy, Moroz, Moldovan