Macedonia 1-1 England

European Under-21 Championship
Group 7 Qualifier
Cair, Skopje
Friday 5th September 2003

A disappointing 1-1 draw in Skopje for England's Under 21s has served as a warning to the full side ahead of their qualifier in the city tomorrow evening.

Despite having taken a first half lead through Phil Jagielka and controlling much of the early proceedings, Macedonia fought back in the second period and claimed a point.

"We're very disappointed at this moment in time," said Coach David Platt after the full-time whistle had gone, "but only the next two results will determine whether this is two points lost or one point gained."

It was in fact the Macedonians who had the first chance when Chris Kirkland, wearing a cap in the bright afternoon sunshine, was forced into an early save. But the Liverpool 'keeper dealt with the shot excellently.

Captain Paul Konchesky rallied the Three Lions with some no-nonsense defending as they weathered the early pressure from the home side aiming to impress their new coach. The Spurs loanee then had England's first chance. Shola Ameobi was fouled on the edge of the Macedonian area and Konchesky's well-taken delivery produced a good save from the 'keeper, Georgievski.

England then began to take control of the game as the new midfield partnership of Steven Sidwell and Joey Barton got to know one another. Up front Ameobi caused problems to the Macedonia rear-guard with his strong and direct approach.

Ameobi was then presented with the best chance of the game collecting an inch-perfect Konchesky ball. The big Newcastle man was unable to get his shot away quickly enough on the six-yard box and the ball was prodded away for a corner. He continued to cause mayhem, but moments later again failed to find the net after beating Georgievski, pony-tail and all, to a Sidwell free-kick, his header just floating wide. These chances England would later regret.

The breakthrough for England finally came on 35 minutes. A free kick on the right-hand side drifted exquisitely to the far post by Leeds winger Jermaine Pennant. Phil Jagielka introduced himself to the ball with a firm header directed back across Georgievski's goal, finding itself where it has been promising to go for most of the half - in the Macedonian net.

Michael Tonge and Sidwell linked well out wide, but the strike from the young Reading midfielder, the last real action of the half, never looked like troubling the 'keeper as it drifted over the bar.

Shortly after the turn-around, Francis Jeffers found space from a Tonge through pass, but the Evertonian sent his shot narrowly over the bar.

That chance was sandwiched between two Macedonian openings. Firstly Baldovaliev fired towards Kirkland's goal, then Bajramovski did well to create a glorious opening for Danco Masev, but he spurned what was their best chance to date.

However, a defensive mix-up on the hour led to Macedonia levelling matters. As Kirkland came out of his area to try and control a forward pass from Masev the ball deflected into the path of Aco Stojkovski who drilled his shot into an empty net.

 
Platt made two substitutions in quick succession, first bringing on Shaun Wright-Phillips for Jermaine Pennant then throwing on West Ham's Jermain Defoe for Michael Tonge as his side looked to regain the advantage. As he offered encouragement from the side, time began to tick away for Platt's men who were a shadow of their first-half selves.

Even the four-minutes injury time failed to inspire England to victory and when the final whistle blew, it was the Macedonians who felt like champions with their first Group 7 points. Freddie Mercury singing over the public address system was the last thing England wanted to hear.

The first half display from Manchester City youngster Joey Barton was the only kind of magic to come out of an otherwise disappointing afternoon for England.

In the moments after the game, Platt was asked about rumours earlier this week and rejected any notion that there are doubts surrounded his future with the national team: "I was at a meeting with senior FA staff on Monday but I wasn't on the agenda," he said.

"The meeting was about the development of young players through to the senior squad and not my position with the Under 21s."

He added: "I enjoy being under pressure and I thrive on it."

The Skopje locals will hope that this puts England under pressure for tomorrow night. Sven's men must make sure that another two points do not bite the dust.  

Teams:

Macedonia: Georgievski, Bajramovski, Gjorgjiev, Negrenski, Ivanovski, Popov, Markoski, Masev, Gbsoski, Stojkovski, Baldovaliev.
Subs: Pandev, Tenkedziev, Todorcev, Kerimi, Vajrami, Stojanovski, Gligorov.

Goals: Stojkovski 60

England: 1 Chris Kirkland, 2 Glen Johnson, 3 Paul Konchesky (c), 4 Joey Barton, 5 Phil Jagielka, 6 Peter Clarke, 7 Jermaine Pennant, 8 Steven Sidwell, 9 Francis Jeffers, 10 Shola Ameobi, 11 Michael Tonge (Defoe)
Subs: 12 Tony Hibbert, 13 Lee Grant, 14 Andrew Davies, 15 Gary O'Neil, 16 Shaun Wright-Phillips, 17 Jermain Defoe, 18 Bobby Zamora

Goals: Jagielka 35

Referee: MAISONLAHTI Jari (FIN)

Assistants: OLSHANETSKYY Vasyl (UKR) and TURKKI Ari (FIN)

Fourth Official: PODUSHKYN Igor (UKR)