England Under-18s slipped to defeat against South Korea on Friday, as two quickfire second-half goals completed a 2-0 win for the hosts.
A strike from Kim Yin Ja in the 59th minute after a slip from keeper Aaron Ramsdale left him with an open goal was followed up by a penalty from Lee Seung Woo five minutes later, with the Young Lions reduced to ten men in the process due to a second caution for debutant Sam Field.
South Korea 2-0 England
International U18 Friendly
Friday 3 June 2016
Icheon Stadium, South Korea
With an enthusiastic crowd of over 11,000 in attendance in Icheon, there was no shortage of interest in the game but it was a relatively quiet first half from both teams with Korea largely on the front foot.
And the hosts stepped things up after the break before making the crucial breakthrough and then doubling their advantage in what is first of two games between the nations.
It was England's first defeat of the season and head coach Neil Dewsnip admitted after the game that his side weren't at their best.
"It was an untypical disappointing performance after having prepared really well," said Dewsnip.
"We showed good character and robustness to keep the score goal-less at half time.
"And we showed great character playing with ten men and had a few chances to score but unfortunately couldn't convert.
“Korea also had further chances to score, but Aaron showed a positive reaction to his earlier mistake and made a couple of excellent saves.
“We now go on to the second game, where the staff and players will be determined to end the current campaign in a positive manner."
The nations will now meet again on Sunday at the Suwon World Cup Stadium.
England Under-18s: 1 Aaron Ramsdale (Sheffield United); 6 Danny Collinge (Stuttgart), 5 Easah Suliman (Aston Villa), 3 Jay DaSilva (Chelsea), 2 Josh Grant (Chelsea); 8 Tom Davies (Everton) (c), 4 Sam Field (West Bromwich Albion), 10 Antony Evans (Everton), 7 Marcus Edwards (Tottenham Hotspur), 11 Andre Green (Aston Villa); 9 Lukas Nmecha (Manchester City)
Substitutions: 14 Adebayo Etun (Fulham) for Evans 68, 18 Rushian Hepburn-Murphy (Aston Villa) for Edwards 68, 12 Hayden Coulson (MIddlesbrough) for Gray 82, 16 Isaac Buckley-Ricketts (Manchester City) for Nmecha 82
Substitutes not used: 13 Alfie Whiteman (Tottenham Hotspur), 15 Ro-Shaun Williams (Manchester United), 17 Nathan Holland (Everton)
Cautions: Josh Grant 22, Jay DaSilva 26, Sam Field 33 and 63
Red cards: Sam Field
Attendance: 11,095
