Will Antwi's England U19 side lost 4-2 to Netherlands U19 as the Young Lions crashed out of the U19 European Championship group stage without a win.
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England U19 lose 4-2 to Netherlands U19Arsenal's Setford fails to impress in crucial gameYoung Lions crash out of U19 EurosFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱Getty/GOALTELL ME MORE
England U19 headed into their final game of the group stage in Group B of the U19 European Championship knowing that they needed a win against the dominant Netherlands, who have already confirmed their spot in the knockout stages of the tournament in Romania.
The contest started off very equal through the opening stages; however, the first real chance fell at Ethan Wheatley's feet after the striker found himself through on goal before Joeri Heerkens' spectacular save kept the score level.
However, the Dutch were the first to strike after Kasper Boogaard's short corner saw Kees Smit let it rip with a wonderful strike from the edge of the box, which Arsenal youth keeper Tommy Setford could do nothing about. The Netherlands then doubled their lead just past the half-hour mark after a well-worked move opened up England's defence before Zepiqueno Redmond scored with a low strike that could perhaps have been saved by Setford. They then grabbed their third goal after Lucas Vennegoor of Hesselink scored after an erroneous block from Zach Abbott fell right in his path.
England came out strong in the second half of the clash as Wheatley almost managed to peg one goal back before he actually did so on the back of a spectacular run by Kadan Young. However, their joy was somewhat short-lived as the Netherlands regained control of the clash immediately after, with Redmond grabbing his brace around the 70th minute of the game to reinstate his side's three-goal lead. The Dutch almost found their fifth goal of the game around the 80-minute mark after a deflected shot from Kasper Boogaard. England did manage to grab a consolation goal in injury time as Shumaira Mheuka's deflected shot ended up in the back of the goal.
The Young Lions are out.
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Redmond was spectacular through the clash for the Netherlands as he has been through their U19 European Championship campaign so far. The left-winger managed to score a brace past a rather disappointing Setford; however, it was more of his overall quality on the left side that saw him dominate Young and Caleb Kporha in England's defence.
Getty Images SportTHE BIG LOSER
Arsenal youth keeper Setford was not at his best as England conceded three first-half goals. There was not much the 19-year-old could have done during the Netherlands' opening goal; however, the second goal could have done with a bit stronger presence from Setford, as he let the ball pass him by at saveable range. The fourth goal caught him on his heels yet again as a relatively tame effort from Redmond from a tight angle squeaked through his legs, ending all hopes of a comeback.
WHAT COMES NEXT?
England looked set to be one of the major challengers for the U19 European Championship this summer. However, it was a disappointing campaign for Antwi's side as they crashed out without a single win to their name. The Netherlands and Germany have now gone through to the knockout round of the tournament.
