Courtesy: The Fa.com


England edged out

Wednesday, 31 October 2007

England 3- 6 Andorra
Friendly Game
Tuesday 30 October 2007
English Institute Of Sport, Bath

England lost their second game against Andorra on Tuesday night, albeit after a much improved performance from the previous evening’s match.

Against a technically accomplished Andorran team, England changed their tactics from the first match and reverted to a more aggressive pressing game which unsettled their opponents.

Once again though, England started slowly and conceded an early goal but they responded well with Mangotsfield United's Luke Ballinger converting Alex Sykes’ cross to level.

Unfortunately, Andorra edged ahead once again though and held onto a 2 -1 lead at the break.

England pressed hard after half-time and were rewarded when England’s top scorer Sykes added a further goal to his tally. It sparked an exciting 15 minutes with a fast-flowing Futsal game delighting the crowd.

Andorra edged ahead once again through the outstanding Diogenes Lino Baptista and then a further goal from Lazquez.

However, England refused to be beaten and reduced the arrears when Richard Follett lashed in a rebound after Sykes’ cross-shot cannoned off a post.

Andorra were then reduced to four men for a two-minute period when Jorge Dias Barbosa was sent off for a second yellow card after obstructing a quickly taken kick-in.

But England couldn’t take advantage during this crucial period, despite carving out five clear opportunities. With Andorra restored to full strength, they made England pay with two further breakaway goals in the final minutes.

England will continue their preparations for the FIFA qualification process with further games against Georgia in November and then Greece on 17 and 18 December at the Nechells Sports Centre, Birmingham.



Posted by Luca Ranocchiari --> luca.ranocchiari@futsalplanet.com