England U-21 versus Czech Republic U-21 – Under 21 European Championships: Second half review (Part 1)
After dominating the first half without scoring any goals, England resumed the second half in the same commanding fashion as http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Scott-Sinclair-c32675 but the ball took a deflection off Sinclair’s marker and ended up in the Czech Republic goalkeeper’s hands.
In the 52nd minute, Czech Republic were awarded a free kick on the left hand side of the English penalty area as Kozak was brought down by http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Chris-c9006 Smalling when both the players competed for the ball via an aerial duel. However the Czech Republic U-21 team failed to capitalize on the situation as the ensuing set piece which was taken by Kozak sailed out of play without troubling the English goalkeeper, Fielding.
In the 57th minute, England once again threatened to sneak past the Czech Republic back line as Walker’s cross which was aimed at Sturridge was deflected off http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/England-c749 main problem in the second half despite having a large chunk of the possession revolved around their inability to find that final through ball for their strikers in and around the Czech Republic penalty area.
In the second half, Czech Republic’s U-21 team sat back and invited pressure onto themselves looking to hit England on the counter attack. England dictated the tempo of the match as they had the ball at their feet more often than not but their lack of penetrative passing proved to be their Achilles heel. In the 63rd minute, Jones surged up field with the ball at his field but the former Blackburn defender was brought down to the ground near the corner flag by the Czech defence as England were awarded a free kick.
Thomas Cleverley took the free kick which was headed away but the ball fell straight at Walker’s feet at the edge of the Czech Republic penalty area. The full back unleashed a powerful shot at Vaclik in http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Czech-Republic-c2882’s goal but the shot lacked accuracy in the end as it sailed over the cross bar.
With the score line at nil all, England opted to make the first change of the night when http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Jordan-Henderson-c19102 in the midfield region for the three lions. Stuart Pearce’s substation was a tactical one as Lansbury provided England much more creativity from central midfield as compared to the more defensive minded Henderson.
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