England made a faltering start to their European Under
21 Championship campaign as they were held to a goalless draw by
Czech Republic.
On a warm evening in Arnhem, England enjoyed plenty of possession
but were frustrated by a hard-working Czech side.
England appeared to have finally broken through when they were
awarded a penalty three minutes from time, but Leroy Lita sent his
spot-kick wide.
England were given no time to settle in the early stages and Ashley
Young lost his cool as his mistimed challenge on Daniel Kolar
forced the Czech striker off the field.
With Anton Ferdinand injured and Steven Taylor suspended, England's
new-look centre-back pairing of Gary Cahill and Nedum Onuoha was
soon creaking as Fratisek Rajtoral played in Jan Kysela, and it was
left to Scott Carson to rush out and save with his legs.
Czech Republic goalkeeper Zdenek Zlamal was not called into action
until the 31st minute and even then it was a routine stop from
David Nugent's long-range effort.
Nigel Reo-Coker dashed into the box and fired over, but it was not
until the second half that chances began to come more freely.
Nugent flicked James Milner's cross towards Kieran Richardson
immediately after the restart but the Manchester United player,
completely unmarked, failed to make contact from point-blank
range.
At the other end Martin Fillo slammed a shot over following a
strong run from Lubos Husek, before Carson tipped Daniel Pudil's
curling free-kick onto the post.
Stuart Pearce brought on Wayne Routledge for Richardson, and then
changed the shape of the team by substituting Milner for Lita and
playing with two strikers.
It was Nugent who grabbed the game by the scuff of the neck, first
dragging a shot inches wide and then surging into the box with
intent on a number of occasions.
One such run resulted in a penalty as Roman Hubnik handballed, but
Lita found that it was much harder to score from 12 yards in a
pressure situation than it had been in last week's specially
arranged shoot-out against Slovakia.
The Reading forward sent Zlamal the wrong way but also put his shot
past the post to leave England's hopes of qualification for the
semi-finals in the balance.
England now face pre-tournament favourites Italy in their second
match on Thursday.
