England 0-3 Croatia

Under-21 International Friendly
Upton Park, West Ham United FC
Tuesday 19th August 2003

Jermaine Pennant was sent off as England were given plenty to think about ahead of next month's Euro 2004 qualification double-header against Macedonia and Portugal.

Adventurous Croatia featured a three-pronged attack and their outstanding No9 Goran Ljubojevic scored in each half with Daniel Pranjic adding a sublime third in injury time.

England had their chances as well but any chance of a comeback were spoiled when Arsenal's Pennant appeared to strike out at an opponent and was given a red card under the watchful gaze of his club manager Arsene Wenger and England coach Sven Goran Eriksson.

Under-21 manager David Platt doesn't like playing 'easy' friendly internationals and in that respect Croatia were perfect opponents.

Bright and lively, they didn't look back after surviving a seventh minute scare when Jermain Defoe shot narrowly wide on his home ground.

The opening goal arrived after 12 minutes. The cultured left boot of Mario Carevic delivered a 40-yard pass into the path of Osijek striker Goran Ljubojevic and he held off Paul Konchesky before planting a low finish past Matt Murray.

England's response was rapid and nearly brought an equaliser 90 second later.

Konchesky completed a dash down the left by firing the ball across the six-yard box. Francis Jeffers just failed to get a decisive touch and Pennant steamed in beyond the far post to crack a shot against the post.

Croatia then hit the woodwork from a Niko Kranjicar free-kick from Ronaldinho territory as the game opened up at both ends.

Pennant was England's best attacking outlet and when captain Gareth Barry headed on his cross, Jeffers just failed to convert the chance.

A Jeffers goal would have taken him past Alan Shearer's record of 13 for the under-21s but this wasn't his night with Tomislav Vranjic saving a fierce shot with his knees.

Eventually, he was replaced by Chelsea teenager Carlton Cole.

England did get the ball in the net when Defoe raced onto David Prutton's clever pass after 39 minutes but the West Ham striker had just strayed offside before dinking his finish over Vranjic.

There was a lot of interest in Glen Johnson, returning to Upton Park just a few weeks after his £6million move to Chelsea.

He was left relieved on the stroke of half-time when his mistimed interception was tipped over by Murray when embarrassingly heading for the top corner.

Croatia's second goal arrived seven minutes into the second half. England has eight men inside their penalty area to defend a corner but still didn't pick up the blonde marauder Ljubojevic to score his second goal from close range.

Poor Murray, who conceded five at the weekend at Wolves, must have felt like a goalkeeper under fire again when Vedran Jese cheekily tried to score against him with a free-kick from the halfway line.

The Croatian defender's shot was dropping just in when Murray tipped it over.

England were reduced to 10 men after 61 minutes when Pennant raised his arm and struck out at Niko Kranjcar.

The Croatian wasn't injured but Norwegian referee Tommy Sjerven sent the Arsenal player off for an early bath.

Platt brought on Cole and Phil Jagielka and late England pressure saw Defoe's shot on the turn blocked by the legs of Vranjic.

Croatia though saved the best until last. Ljubojevic burst forward looking for his hat-trick in injury-time but suddenly backheeled the ball for Pranjic, who chipped the ball over Murray with his first touch.

Even the disappointed Upton Park crowd applauded that - and it will give England's youngsters an idea of what they will come up against Portugal.

England: Murray; Johnson, Clarke (Jagielka), Parnaby, Konchesky; Pennant, Jenas, Prutton, Barry (Sidwell); Jeffers (Cole), Defoe

Croatia: Vranjick; Jese, Lucic, Drpic; Buljat, Tomic, Carevic, Pranjic; Klic (Zahora), Kranjcar, Ljubojevic

Goals: Ljubojevic 12, 52, Pranjic 90

Attendance: 11,008

Report by Joe Bernstein at Upton Park

Related Items

David Platt's Analysis