Shoot-out heartbreak for Young Lions
Saturday, 07 April, 2012
Kenny Swain's side miss out on Montaigu Final after narrow defeat to Russia.
England U16s will not get a chance to defend last year's title in the Montaigu Tournament this year, following a penalty shoot-out defeat against Russia in the semi-final on Saturday.
The game ended 2-2 after 80 minutes following a see-saw second half in which Russia netted a late equaliser to take the game to a shoot-out.
Kenny Swain's side opened the scoring after the break, when Arsenal striker Jordan Brown netted only for Russia to get themselves level soon after.
England got back in front from the penalty-spot themselves, when a Russian defender handballed in the area and was duly sent off. Manchester City's Kean Bryan slotted home to give the Young Lions a 2-1 lead and it looked as though that was how it would end.
However, the Russians had other ideas and scored in the 78th minute from an indirect free-kick inside the English area.
Following the final whistle, the game went straight to the shoot-out and both sides scored their first three kicks, before Russia edged it in the end to win 4-3.
The result means that England's final game in the Tournament will be the third-fourth play-off against hosts France on Monday.