England U-21 versus http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Czech-Republic-c2882 U-21 – Under 21 European Championships: First half review (Part 1)
England’s U-21 contingent took on their Czech counterparts at Viborg Stadion on 19th of June, 2011 in http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Denmark-c2884 in their pen-ultimate group stage match of the Under 21-European Championships. England were placed third
in their group when the match kicked off whereas the Czechs were placed second, which made them the favourites to qualify for the semi-final stage of the U-21 European Championships.
England fielded a strong side in a 4-2-3-1 setup which included http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Phil-Jones-c29903 made up the central defensive pairing
for England whereas http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Tom-Cleverley-c35218 played
as England’s offensive midfielder with http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Daniel-c9879 Welbeck as their solitary striker.
Czech Republic’s U-21 side used a 4-5-1 formation which meant that Libor Kozak started as their only striker. http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Borek-Dockal-c7848 was tasked with defensive responsibilities in the centre of the park whilst Jan Moravek and Jan Kovarik
were asked by Jakub Dovalil to provide width to his side. In central midfield, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Marcel-Gecov-c23512 lined up alongside Lukas Marecek.
Czech Republic’s defence compromised of http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/England-c749 required a
win to seal their place in the semi finals of the competition whereas Czech Republic only required a draw in order to make it to the last four teams of the tournament.
England began the match as the brighter of the two sides as http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Chelsea-c38786 striker blitzed past his
marker with an intelligent turn but then failed to get a shot at goal as he was crowded out by the Czech http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Defence-c38904.
In the 5th minute, England were almost caught out at the back when Czech Republic gained possession of the ball in the centre of the park. Gecov played the ball out wide to Celutska who failed to apply the right amount
of swerve on his cross as http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Chris-c9006 Smalling read the wing back’s mind and cleared the ball away from danger. England dominated the play early on in the first half but soon the Czech’s played their way back into the match thanks to some a profligate display of
passing by http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Jordan-Henderson-c19102.
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