England through to Under-21 European Championships after Romania draw
Romania U21 0 England U21 0
England booked their place at next summer’s Under-21 European Championships in Denmark after stifling Romania in Botosani.
Stuart Pearce’s side held on to their 2-1 aggregate lead from last week’s first leg thanks to a resolute defensive performance and a stroke of good fortune, to seal their spot at June’s showpiece tournament.
Romania started the match on the front foot and it didn’t take long before England goalkeeper Frankie Fielding was given his first test of the afternoon. Gabriel Torje had the game’s first shot within the opening minute and forced a decent early save from Fielding, as the hosts began the opening stages on top.
Sabrin Sburlea then had a glorious chance to break the deadlock when he was teed up by Florin Gardos moments later, but the forward blazed his shot over Fielding’s bar from 12 yards.
Despite the early pressure from the Romanians, it was England who then almost took the lead on the seventh minute. A fluid counter-attacking move led to Ryan Bertrand threading the ball through to Daniel Sturridge, whose goalbound shot was parried away by Silviu Lung.
And 10 minutes later, Sturridge again showed why he’s so highly-rated at Chelsea after using his raw pace and strength to burst through the Romania defence. Although the resulting shot was tame, it was another warning sign from the talented 21-year-old striker.
The two teams went into half time with the scores still level, which came as a huge relief to Fielding after several shaky moments. The Blackburn Rovers reserve made a meal out of two efforts in quick succession from Torje, five minutes before the break, and was almost caught out again on the stroke of half time by a bouncing ball outside of his penalty area.
Fortunately for England Under-21 manager Pearce, his side’s Romanian opponents were unable to capitalise on Fielding’s nervy spell.
With a place at next summer’s European Championships up for grabs, the second half was unsurprisingly tentative and cagey to begin with. Clear chances were few and far between, and neither goalkeeper was seriously tested.
In a bid to protect the 2-1 aggregate lead, Pearce withdrew Sturridge, who was had picked up a niggly injury, and replaced him with Henri Lansbury to bolster the midfield.
With 20 minutes before full-time, another shaky moment from Fielding almost cost England their precious advantage when a shot from range by Sburlea very nearly found its way past the 22-year-old. He held on, just, as did England to their aggregate lead.
The visitors pushed for the goal which would guarantee their spot at the 2011 Under-21 European Championships, and it almost arrived when Tom Cleverley whipped in a dangerous free-kick from the left, which eluded the entire Romania defence and was only kept out by a good save from Lung.
In the dying embers of the match, England were left clinging on to their lead. Romania, meanwhile, were turning the s***w in a last-ditch attempt to turn the tie on its head.
But England stood firm, let the seconds tick down, and celebrated qualification as referee Fredy Fautrel blew for full time.
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