England Blind made to pay penalty by resolute Russia

England had their hopes of a place in the IBSA Blind European Championships final – and qualification for the Paralympics in Rio 2016 – dashed via the dreaded penalty shootout.

All three England penalty takers missed, with Alexy Loktionov the shootout’s lone scorer, as the tournament’s form team fell to a shock defeat despite dominating for most of the game.

Opening the game with a five-minute period of pressure, the home side dominated both possession and territory, forcing four early corners as Russia looked overpowered by the more physical England team.

Robin Williams, the tournament’s second-top scorer, fired just wide of the right and towering midfielder Dan English began to impose himself on the game, twice picking up the ball from deep and driving towards goal.

Adopting a conservative formation, the visitors seemed content to defend and allow their star playmaker, long-haired Evgenii Shelaev, to play one-on-four against England’s defenders.

However when Shelaev went down with an injury on 13 minutes, Russia switched to a more balanced set-up and, led by the composed play and strong defence of skipper and midfielder Seghey Manzhos, they came back into the game.

Sparked by the hustle and high press of substitute forward Roy Turnham – on for Williams – England responded, forcing a series of corners, and with the seconds ticking down on the half, Williams was brought down on the edge of the box.

English stepped up, but his shot blazed past the far post.

The second half started brightly for the home side, with Williams looking unplayable with the ball at his feet, however despite several scoring opportunities, the England forward was unable to break the deadlock.

Russia again came into the half and the hosts struggled with their discipline, committing three quick team fouls and putting them in danger of conceding a penalty.

Turnham looked most likely in a tense second period, winning a foul on the edge of the area with seven minutes remaining and firing past the far post from the resulting free-kick.

However, with neither side able to break the deadlock, the game went to penalties.        

Loktionov scored with the shootout’s first penalty, before English, penalty specialist Owen Bainbridge and captain Keryn Seal, all saw their efforts parried by Iakovlev, while Denis Egorov and Evgenii Shelaev shot wide also shot wide.