UEFA European U-19 C’ship: Balde equaliser denies England

EFA

July 19 2005

/noticias.info/ Abdoulaye Balde’s first-half equaliser cancelled out
Matthew Fryatt’s early effort and earned France a draw against
England in the first match of the 2004/05 UEFA European Under-19
Championship finals.

Rapid response
Martin Hunter’s England side carved out an initial advantage in the
Group B fixture in Belfast thanks to Fryatt’s composed finish, but
the lead lasted only ten minutes as Amiens SC forward Balde sprang
the offside trap to drill in. Both sides had chances to capture all
three points, but ultimately had to make do with one.

French threat
England lined up in a 4-3-3 formation while France, in the absence of
suspended trio Vassiriki Diaby, Yohan Cabaye and Franck Dja Djedje
and with coach Jean Gallice beginning a two-match touchline ban,
kicked off with a more conservative 3-5-2. In spite of that, it was
the French who threatened first, Yohan Gouffran racing on to a long
ball over the top of the English defence, but shooting weakly at
David Martin.

Well-worked opener
Instead the early breakthrough came at the other end, England taking
the lead in the ninth minute. Captain Martin Cranie brought the ball
out of defence and found Grant Leadbitter, whose through-ball set
Fryatt clear. The striker kept his head to round the onrushing
goalkeeper Hugo Lloris just outside the area and roll into the
unguarded net.

Drilled finish
Ryan Jarvis might have doubled the lead moments later but instead
France drew level midway through the first half. Again a high ball
over the defence caused the problems, Didier Digard providing the
pass for Balde to race clear and thump a low shot beyond Martin.
After the early excitement, clear chances proved harder to come by,
although Yohan Gourcuff’s deep right-wing free-kick found Mohamed
Chakouri unmarked, but the French defender headed straight at Martin.

Crucial intervention
The second half began in similar fashion, with Gourcuff sending a low
shot just wide. France looked the more likely scorers and almost took
the lead with 19 minute remaining as Gourcuff got the better of Tony
McMahon and cut the ball back for Balde, but Cranie reacted smartly
to make a brave block.

Wednesday fixtures
Neither side could fashion a winner in the closing moments, and will
look to record their first victories in the section on Wednesday.
England meet Armenia in Ballymena, while Norway, 2-0 winners against
the Armenians today, are France’s next opposition at Windsor Park.