England 1-0 Sweden

Nordic International Tournament
Seinäjoki, Finland
03 August 2004

England got their Nordic Tournament campaign off to the perfect start, edging a tight opener with Sweden in Seinäjoki just outside Vaasa, Finland.

John McDermott's side settled well in the first half, and looked the stronger in the opening exchanges, spraying the ball around with confidence.

Despite their good build-up play the final ball was lacking on several occasions though, and as the half wore on the Swedes fought their way back into the match, and began to dictate the play.

The English defence held firm, but it would nonetheless have been a relief to McDermott to get his young charges into the break still on level terms.

The second half began on a sour note with a booking for Jay Simpson, but turned on its head just one minute later when England took the lead through Hogan Ephraim.

Seb Hines of Middlesbrough turned defence to attack with a visionary ball that found Ryan Woods on the left. 

Woods then took on the Swedish full-back, beat him on the outside and whipped in a cross to the back post, where Simpson, making up for his earlier booking, rose above the defence and headed the ball back into the danger zone.

The Swedish goalkeeper fumbled and Ephraim, showing admirable composure, turned on a sixpence to hook the ball into the bottom corner of the net.

After such an auspicious start to second half, however, the rest was somewhat devoid of incident, although England could have extended their lead on 64 minutes.

Simpson, making another positive contribution, carried the ball from the half way line to the Swedish box, but his shot was charged down.

Then in the final minute England almost lost their slim lead as the ball ricocheted around the box. Arestidou shone in the England goal though, and was helped by Watts who finally hooked the ball clear.

England will hope to continue the good work when they face the Faroe Islands tomorrow (4 August) in the second match of the Nordic International Tournament.

England: Arestidou, Omozusi, Hines, Mills (Watts, 78), Golbourne, Cattermole (Mulvany, 82), Gardener (Simpson, 40), Gooding (Davis, 63), Sisson, Ephraim, Woods (Kelly, 73)

Goals: Ephraim 47