BELGIUM vs ENGLAND

Belgium 2 VS England 1

Wednesday, 13/10/2010

Kick off 15:30 BST at Vise, Belgium

Belgium - Mpoku 45' Van Der Bruggen 88'

England - Ngoo 86'

VIDEO: Belgian defeat for U19s

Wednesday, 13 October, 2010

Young Lions slip to unfortunate defeat in Belgium.

Click here to watch video highlights of the game.

England U19s finished the First Qualifying Round of this season's European Championship on a sour note as they slipped to an unfortunate defeat against hosts Belgium.

Noel Blake's side and their opponents had already confirmed their passage through to next year's Elite Round so the outcome of the game wouldn't have any real impact on England's progress but given the passage of play in Vise, a defeat was the least that England deserved.

The Young Lions had the best of the game from start to finish, clocking up over 20 attempts at goal and the majority on target only to find home goalkeeper Koen Casteels in fine form. That was perfectly illustrated in the seventh minute when he kept out captain Jonjo Shelvey's penalty kick.

And the Belgians took advantage of an unfortunate situation for England to take the lead deep into first half stoppage time. A clash between Andre Wisdom and Ross Barkley saw both players substituted and Belgium took advantage as captain Paul Jose Mpoku edged them ahead in the sixth minute of added time.

England didn't let it affect them though and they went on to enjoy the better of the second half, again finding Casteels in formidable form, particularly to the frustration of Connor Wickham who was continually denied.

It looked as though a deserved point was secured with less than five minutes to go though, when Shelvey's corner was parried onto the bar by Casteels only for Michael Ngoo to nod home the rebound.

Unfortunately though, England were caught out straight after the re-start, as Hannes Van Der Bruggen netted less than a minute later with what turned out to be the winner.

So, England had to settle for second spot in the group, but they will be in the draw for the Elite Qualifying Round which will take place next Spring.