UEFA Under-17 Championship: Portugal through to semi-finals, England almost

UEFA-Under-17-Malta2014-logoPortugal were the first team to reach the semi-finals of the UEFA Under-17 Championship while England are almost through as both registered wins on Monday.

At the Hibernians Stadium, a goal by Luis Mata on the 54th minute enabled Portugal to beat Switzerland 1-0.

Portugal therefore lead the way in Group B with maximum points from two matches while Switzerland collected one point thanks to the 1-1 draw with Germany.

The all-important goal arrived fourteen minutes in the second half. Alexandre Silva served Diogo Gonçalves on the left and off the latter’s pass Luis Mata placed the ball at the back of the net.

SWITZERLAND Gregor Kobel, Samir Barjami, Tobias Schattin (71′ Boris Babic), Myrlind Kryeziu, Arxhend Cani (A71′ lban Selmanaj), Djibril Sow, Albian Ajeti, Dimitri Oberlin, Noah Loosli, Harun Alpsoy, Derek Kutesa (65′ Roberto Alves).

PORTUGAL Pedro Silva, Hugo Santos, Ruben Dias, Yuri Ribeiro, Ruben Neves, Diogo Goncalves (58′ Joao Carvalho), Gonçalo Rodrigues (71′ Pedro Rodrigues), Alexandre Silva, Renato Sanches, Francisco Ferreira, Buta (53′ Luis Mata).

Referee: Nikola Dabanovic (MNE)

Photos: Copyright © Paul Zammit Cutajar

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under-17-england-turkey140512pzcAt the Gozo Stadium, England came back from one goal down to beat Turkey 4-1 and register the second win in Group A. If the Netherlands take at least a point from the game against Malta, England secure a place in the semi-finals.

Turkey could have taken the lead on the 15th when they were awarded a penalty for a foul by Joseph Gomez on Fatih Aktay but Enes Ünal’s effort was neutralised by Freddie Woodman.

However a minute later, Enes Ünal was not to be denied, beating the England goalkeeper with a fine shot ending in the bottom corner.

England equalised on the 22nd when Joseph Gomez concluded an impressive run with a fine cross for Dominic Solanke to slot the ball past the Turkish goalkeeper.

Just before half-time, Turkey were reduced to ten men after Hasan Özkan, received a second yellow card.

Nine minutes in the second half, Dominic Solanke made it 2-1 sas he managed to beat Tarik Cetin following a cross by Patrick Roberts.

Nine minutes later, England increased the lead further with Patrick Roberts serving Jonjoe Kenny who scored with a powerful rising shot.

England sealed the issue with a fourth goal on the 64th minute thanks to Adam Armstrong who tapped the ball home after a Patrick Roberts effort was partially saved by Tarık Çetin.

ENGLAND Fredrick Woodman, Jonjoe Kenny, Tafari Moore (66′ Mandela Egbo), Ryan Ledson, Joseph Gomez, Adam Armstrong (70′ Demtri Mitchell), Dominic Solanke (65′ Callum Cooke), Isiaiah Brown, Lewis Cook, Taylor Moore, Patrick Roberts.

TURKEY Tarik Cetin, Savas Polat (57′ Okam Celik), Bahadir Ciloglu, Ertugrul Ersoy, Hasan Ozkan, Enes Unal, Emirhan Aydogan, Dogus Can Incedere (41′ Tuncay Kilic), Alican Ozfesli, Furkan Unver, Fatih Aktay.

Referee: Jonathan Lardot (BEL)