Czech Republic

0-0

England

 

 

 

2007 UEFA European Under-21 Championship
Gelredome, Arnhem
5.15pm (UK time), Monday 11 June 2007

Nigel Reo-Coker was upbeat after Monday’s draw against the Czech Republic, despite seeing his team’s chance to take control of Group B pass by.

Reo-Coker also backed his team mate Leroy Lita, who missed a late penalty, and said that coming away with a clean sheet will give the team encouragement as they head into Thursday’s game with the Italians.

The captain put in a man-of-the-match display and had a couple of chances to get on the scoresheet himself, getting in the box to support David Nugent.

“As soon as the Czechs lost possession they got into their shape and we found it difficult to break them down. They didn't really have any individuals, they played very well together as a team,” he said.

"I knew the way we were playing, I had to get forward in support of Nuge, and I had a couple of efforts. We just needed that goal.

“I'm not really thinking about the man of the match award. I just wanted us to start with a win, that's what is important. But it's a clean sheet and we can motivate ourselves to beat Italy.”

He continued: “I think Leroy will be fine, he's a great player and it happens.

“Everyone in the team believed he would score and had no objections to him taking it."

Lita himself was also remaining positive and said that, in spite of his miss from 12 yards, he'd be happy to take another one.

The Reading striker has hit 14 goals for his club this season, while adding another two for the Under-21s, and loves finding the back of the net. He now wants to move on to the next match and make sure he's fully prepared.

"The ‘keeper’s gone early and maybe I’ve taken a bit off it. But it’s one of those things, now I’ve got to forget about it and move on.

"I want to score goals, if there are penalties I’ll take them and if it comes again, I’ll take another one. I’ve got to put it behind me straight away, there’s another game and I’ll look forward to that and try and put it right in that game," he added.

"We had opportunities and they are delighted with the draw, it shows what they’re playing for. We’re disappointed but we’ve got to get on with it.

"All we can do now is think about the next game, train for the next couple of days and make sure we are ready for that one."

Reo-Coker added: “It's a well-earned point against very good opposition.”

The Teams

Czech Republic
1 Zdeněk Zlámal, 2 Josef Kaufman, 4 Roman Hubník, 6 Luboš Hušek, 7 Daniel Kolář (19 Martin Fillo, 18), 8 Tomáš Jirsák, 11 Daniel Pudil, 12 Michal Švec, 15 František Rajtoral (17 Jiří Kladrubský, 72), 18 Jan Kysela (22 Jan Blažek, 79), 21 Milan Kopic
Substitutes 3 Martin Latka, 5 Michal Kadlec, 9 Tomáš Krbeček, 10 Jan Holenda, 13 Martin Klein, 14 Michal Papadopulos, 16 Josef Kubásek, 20 Mario Holek, 23 Milan Švenger

Coach Ladislav Skorpil

England
1 Scott Carson, 2 Justin Hoyte, 3 Leighton Baines, 6 Gary Cahill, 7 Nigel Reo-Coker (c), 9 Kieran Richardson (12 Wayne Routledge, 57), 10 David Nugent, 11 Ashley Young, 15 James Milner (16 Leroy Lita, 64), 17 Tom Huddlestone (18 Mark Noble, 82), 20 Nedum Onuoha
Substitutes 13 Joe Hart, 14 Liam Rosenior, 19 Matthew Derbyshire, 21 James Vaughan, 22 Ben Alnwick, 23 Peter Whittingham

Coach Stuart Pearce

Kit Colours
Czech Republic White shirts, White shorts, White/Blue socks
Goalkeeper Green shirt, Black shorts, Black socks

England Red shirts, White shorts, Red socks
Goalkeeper Blue shirt, Blue shorts, Blue socks

Match Officials
Referee Zsolt Szabó (HUN)
Assistant Referees Tomislav Petrovic (CRO) and Anders Norrestrand (DEN)
Fourth Official Knut Kircher (GER)

TheFA.com Man of the Match Nigel Reo-Coker