Israel beaten by hosts England at Under-17 championship
Young side from the Jewish state overcome by reigning world champions during the game at Chesterfield's Proact Stadium
Hosts England got their European Under-17 Championship challenge under way on Friday night with a 2-1 victory overIsrael.
Steve Cooper’s side, the reigning world champions, dominated the game at Chesterfield’s Proact Stadium and perhaps should have won by a greater margin.
Thomas Doyle and Dan Lugassy exchanged first-half penalties before Matty Daly restored England’s lead in the second half.
England made a bright start to the match, but Israel held their own in their first finals game since 2005 until Bukayo Saka was brought down inside the area and Doyle converted the resulting spot-kick after 29 minutes.
Israel responded well and Ofek Ovadia saw a shot strike the woodwork before Ethan Laird fouled Liel Abada and allowed Lugassy to level things up with the game’s second penalty.
The hosts scored what proved to be the winning goal just after the hour mark with a passing move the senior team would have been proud of. Cooper’s side moved the ball round a well-drilled defence and Vontae Daley-Campbell set up Daly to score.
Shareef Keouf made fine saves to deny Rayhaan Tulloch and Xavier Amaechi as England pushed for a third goal and Doyle saw an effort tipped on to the crossbar by the goalkeeper in injury time.
England will play fellow Group A winners Italy on Monday in Walsall.
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