Mali 1-1 England
 
Meridian Cup, Group Stages
Ismailia, Egypt
27 January 2003

England's Under-18s picked up a point from their second Meridian Cup game in Egypt. They had taken the lead early in the second half through Dorryll Proffitt but an 80th minute Mali equaliser denied Dick Bate's young side a 100% record in the tournament.

The opening stages at the Suez Canal stadium in Ismailya had given no indication of the late excitement to come.

In an uneventful first half, both sides struggled to produce any clear-cut openings, with Mali in cautious mood after their 6-1 defeat by Spain on the first matchday of the competition.

England's young lions started explosively in the second period, reaping immediate benefit.

They were particularly fast out of the blocks and quickly managed to win a free-kick deep in Mali's half. Manchester City's visionary midfield player Lee Croft found club-mate Proffitt unmarked at the far post and he sent a close-range header beyond Sidibe in Mali's goal, his second goal of the tournament.

To their credit, the Africans refused to accept another defeat was ahead and picked up their own play. Five minutes after going behind, they were nearly level as a free-kick from Fane-Assany was tipped on to the crossbar by the impressive Reading 'keeper Jamie Young.

It was now an intriguing encounter and England could have added to their tally moments later when Ipswich Town's dynamic central defender, Chris Hogg saw a chance hit the woodwork after getting in an excellent position.

For all Mali's endeavours, it looked with ten minutes to go like England would take all the spoils. Falaye Kante, however, epitomised Mali's fighting spirit by getting into an advanced position as the end of the game neared.

Manchester United's Adam Eckersley challenged Kante, but the ball fell into the path of the Mali man who fired a venomous half-volley into the net to spark off celebrations from the home crowd, understandably delighted with a point for the African cause.

Despite the disappointment of a late equaliser, England stay in a healthy position in the competition table.

Lying third after two matches, they go into Thursday's game with the host nation within touching distance of early pace-setters, Spain.

Stay logged on to TheFA.com for news on England's progress in the competition and the thoughts of England Coach, Dick Bate.

Mali: Sidibe, Soumaoro, Barry, Kante, Fane, Coulibaly (Diallo 83), Kante (Fomba 72), Maiga, Doumbia, Bagayoko, Sanogo

Goals: Kante 80

England: Biggins, Eckersley, Gardner, Raven, Hogg, Croft (Sankofa 87), Proffitt (Doherty 80), Long, Young, Groves, Smyth (Guy 65) 

Goals: Proffitt 47

Bookings: Soumaoro (Mali) 34mins; Hogg (England) 90mins

Related Links

25/01/2003: England 3 Burkina Faso 2
29/01/2003: Egypt 0 England 1