A 0-0 draw earned Les Reed's Three Lions their first point, but after 1-0 defeats to Japan and Egypt, it wasn't enough to take them through to the second phase of the competition.

In a tight game, England's plan before the game was to try and contain the Colombians and then step up the tempo later in the game.

Despite getting to half-time on level terms, Colombia had created the most threatening attacks of the first half, with Fawcett and Perea both going close, whilst Andrew Lonergan had to be on top of his game to produce a smart save down to his left from a shot by Victor Montana on the half-hour mark.

England started the second half brightly. First Lee Croft crumpled under a challenge in the box but the referee from Bahrain waved play on, and then David Fox just arrowed a shot over the crossbar after good work by John Welsh and Eddie Johnson.

Having already drawn against Egypt and defeated Japan, a point was enough to see the South Americans into the second round, and even at set-pieces, they kept at least five men in their own half, making it even more difficult for England to launch a counter-attack.

As the clock ticked down, Tommy Wright, Darren Carter and Jerome Thomas all came on to try and unlock the Colombian defence, but the best chance of the second half fell to Javier Araujo in injury-time, which again produced a superb stop from Lonergan, this time throwing himself to his right to keep England's first clean sheet.

After the game, Head Coach Les Reed told TheFA.com: "The boys again gave everything tonight and I am proud of each and every one of them. We tried to keep Colombia out and then nick a goal in the second half, but we just didn't get that one ricochet or slice of luck that could have made all the difference.

"Over the three games we have to acknowledge that we failed to score a goal, and when we return home, the coaching staff will review the videos and analysis from a technical point of view to see whether we can make changes tactically for the future.

"For the players, you cannot buy the type of experience they have gained at this tournament. Some will be able to play in this tournament in 2005 in Holland, whilst others like Lonergan, Chopra and Gary O'Neil will be looking at getting into the Under 21's.

"On a more long-term note, I think the balance of power in world football is changing, and the threat posed by African and Asian teams will continue to grow. In Europe the leagues are very competitive and the seasons extremely long, which provides little preparation time for international squads.

"In Japan, South Korea and in Africa, national sides meet together sometimes months in advance; therefore as long as club football in Europe continues to battle with international football for supremacy, these teams, including England will find the gap narrowing all the time."

England: Andrew Lonergan, Martin Cranie, James McEveley, Steven Taylor, Matt Kilgallon, Ben Bowditch (Darren Carter, 69), David Fox, Lee Croft (Jerome Thomas, 78), Michael Chopra (c), John Welsh, Eddie Johnson (Tommy Wright, 67)
Subs not used: Ross Turnbull, Philip Ifil, Andrew Taylor, Chris Carruthers, Gary O'Neil