Report: England 0-3 Venezuela

England men’s under-17s lost to Venezuela by 3-0 in their opening match of the FIFA U17 World Cup in Qatar.

After controlling much of the first half, the Young Lions conceded two goals in quick succession late in the half, while the only goal in the second half came in injury time from Venezuela as Neil Ryan's team chased a way back into the game.

The first chance of the match came in the sixth minute through captain Seth Ridgeon, whose shot hit the post. The rebound fell to Reigan Heskey, whose shot also struck the post as the Young Lions were unlucky not to make a flying start..

Eight minutes later, the Young Lions won the ball close to Venezuela’s 18-yard box and the ball ended up at the feet of Alejandro Rodriguez but the Venezuelan-born attacker’s shot was intercepted.

In the 28th minute, the Young Lions won a free kick on the left wing, high up in Venezuela’s half. Rodriguez took the free kick and his effort was good but ended up hitting the crossbar and bouncing to safety again.

Only three minutes later, a cross from Heskey found Rodriguez in the box. The Olympique Lyonnais player struck the ball with an acrobatic effort, but the Venezuelan goalkeeper managed to react in time to make a save and keep his side level.

But five minutes before half time, Venezuela broke the deadlock through a fast break that ended up at the feet of Román Davis. The Venezuelan scored from a tight angle, from just outside the England 18-yard box.

And moments before the break, Dioner Fuents doubled the lead for Venezuela, striking the ball from outside the box to sending it into the top corner and give his side a valuable advantage to cling onto.

The Young Lions started the second half strongly, with Heskey taking a shot from outside the box that narrowly flew over the crossbar.

Harrison Miles then found Ryan McAidoo on the right wing, but his effort was parried behind the goal by the Venezuelan goalkeeper.
 
A corner in the 67th minute had England close to finding a way back into the game, but a clearance off the line kept England goalless.

With ten minutes left to play, Heskey dribbled the ball into the box and the Manchester City player fired a shot at goal but wasn't able to beat Alan Vazquez in the Venezuelan goal.

After pushing for an equaliser, the Young Lions conceded in the 93rd minute as a cross from Yerwin Sulbarán was parried by Jack Porter. The rebound found Eider Barrios, who slid the ball into the back of the net to seal victory for the South Americans.

England: 1 Jack Porter (Arsenal), 3 Malachi Hardy (Tottenham Hotspur), 4 Harrison Miles (Manchester City), 6 Freddie Simmonds (Brighton & Hove Albion), 7 Ryan McAidoo (Manchester City), 8 Seth Ridgeon (Fulham), 9 Alejandro Rodriguez (Olympique Lyonnais), 12 Bradley Burrowes (Aston Villa), 14 Reigan Heskey (Manchester City), 15 Kaden Braithwaite (Manchester City), 20 Louis Page (Leicester City)

Substitutes: 16 Bendito Mantato (Manchester United) for Simmonds 69’, 10 Luca Williams-Barnett (Tottenham Hotspur) for Miles 69’, 17 Igor Tyjon (Blackburn Rovers) for Page 88’, 18 Chizaram Ezenwata (Chelsea) for Hesky 82’

Substitutes not used: 2 Dante Headley (Manchester City), 5 Marli Salmon (Arsenal), 13 Lanre Awesu (West Ham), 19 Reggie Walsh (Chelsea), 21 Dylan Moody (Southampton)

Head coach: Neil Ryan