Head Coach John Peacock is re-focusing his players ahead of Friday's game with Estonia.
England 0-0 Armenia
UEFA European U17 Championship
First Qualifying Round
7.30pm, Wednesday 22 October 2008
Campo los Cuartos, Tenerife, Spain
Click here for competition details
England U17s Head Coach John Peacock admitted his frustration at seeing his side held to a draw by Armenia in their opening game of the European Championship First Qualifying Round, but has quickly re-focused the players’ thoughts onto their next game.
The Young Lions enjoyed much the better of the match in Tenerife, but just couldn’t find the crucial breakthrough. They came close with both Jack Wilshere and Jonjo Shelvey seeing efforts hit the woodwork in the second half.
“It was a very frustrating night and disappointing in the end,” Peacock told TheFA.com
“There were a potential two points that we have not collected, when we had around 70 per cent of the possession in the game.
“The lads were trying to be constructive, but in the final third we just weren’t clinical enough.”
Prior to England’s game at Campo los Cuartos, Spain enjoyed a six-goal romp over Estonia and Peacock admits that getting an early goal, as the hosts did, can often prove the key.
“We had a game plan, as we knew that they would defend deep and work hard, but we saw in the earlier game between Spain and Estonia that if you can get an early goal it makes such a difference,” he explained.
“The game started well for us and we played well in the first 10 minutes but just couldn’t get that goal and I think if we had, then we may have gone on to get a few more.
“But the longer the game goes on, the harder it gets and that was how it proved.
“As I said before the game, we knew it wouldn’t be easy for us. People will say it’s only Armenia, but they have a lot of pride to play for their country, particularly against England.”
England now have a day to recover and prepare for their next match, which is against Estonia on Friday evening and Peacock has already started work on getting the players ready for the game.
“It’s a learning curve for the players and whilst they’re disappointed at the moment after Wednesday's result, it’s our job to pick them up now.
“We play Estonia on Friday and our preparations for that are underway.”
England: Jed Steer, Keanu Marsh-Brown, Ezekiel Fryers, Emmanuel Frimpong, Ryan Tunnicliffe, Jack Wilshere, Jose Baxter, John Bostock (c) (Jacob Walcott, 68) Luke Freeman (Billy Knott, 54) Jonjo Shelvey, Tom Parkes.
Substitutes not used: Edward Oshodi, James Hurst, Ryan Allsop, Jamie Reckord, Liam Head.
Armenia: Tigran Davytan, Rafayel Nersisyan, Varazdat Haroyan, Vachik Yeghiazaryan, Sedrak Shakbazyan, Gevorg Ohanyan (Gor Gugujyan, 55) Gevorg Ohanyan K (c) (Argishti Petrosyan, 60) Davit Sujyan, Kamo Hovhannisyan, Grisha Khachatryan, Valter Poghosyan (Artush Kerobyan, 75)
Substitutes not used: Hayk Hunanyan, Karo Loretsyan (GK), Erik Sargsyan, Armen Zakaryan.