England

0-1

Japan

 

 

Bowditch (og) 2


Toulon Tournament
Stade Scaglia, La Seyne
19 June 2003

England's Under-20s suffered the disappointment of a fourth consecutive Toulon Tournament defeat on Thursday evening, and finished bottom of Group B, after an early Japanese goal.

Despite conceding twelve goals and not finding the net once in the first three games, Les Reed's men had seen a progression in their performances and were confident of getting something from the Japanese, a team they'll meet in the Group stages of the World Youth Championships in the UAE later this year.

In the opening moments England looked hungry and their passing and possession football was encouraging, but with only a minute and a half gone, Japan opened the scoring with their first attack.

A forward run towards the edge of the England box looked to be going nowhere with Ben Bowditch coming over to cover, but the Spurs midfielder's sweeping tackle hooked the ball past the advancing Andrew Lonergan and rolled into the empty net.

England looked rocked by such a cruel blow so early and had to weather a positive Japan display, but midway through the first half the Three Lions almost scored their first goal of the Tournament, but when Brian Howard was put through on goal with just the keeper to beat, he could only find the legs of Japanese keeper Masahiro Okamoto.

Howard was later to be given his marching orders for a second booking, and England were forced to play for the last 25 minutes with only ten men.

Maintaining the score at 1-0, with just four minutes left England could have grabbed a last-gasp equaliser but Birmingham midfielder Darren Carter hit his shot across Okamoto's goal and out for a goal kick.

Reed, though naturally disappointed, will look at this tournament as a major part of the players' development.

"I can't knock the players for character. But they shot themselves in the foot with a goal after two minutes and it was an uphill struggle," said the England coach.

"We defended very well and while Japan could have scored two more goals, we could have scored two as well and I think we deserved to get something out of the game.

"We are a better team at the end of the tournament and it's an experience that money can't buy.

"They will have to learn about international football because in nearly every game we have been reduced to 10 men and they will have to learn that referees view things differently." 

England Team
13 Andrew Lonergan
3 Chris Carruthers
4 David Fox
6 Leon Hylton
8 Ben Bowditch
9 Jerome Thomas
10 Darren Carter(c)
11 Brian Howard
12 Kalam Mooniaruk
20 Dorian Small

Subs
1 Rob Burch
2 Jon Otsemobor
5 Sean O'Hanlon
7 Richard Offiong
14 Simon Johnson
15 Lyndon Duncan
16 John Spicer
17 Craig Dove
18 Sean Doherty
19 Anthony McNamee