April 19, 2003

Spain wins UEFA Second Qualifying Group and England go through to Finals as a best runner-up

Saturday April 19, 2003

England U-19 1 Denmark U-19 0

Spain U-19 3 Republic of Ireland 1

Spain surprised everybody by winning the UEFA Second Qualifying Group on goal difference, after beating Ireland 3-1.

There are seven qualifying spots for July's UEFA Under-19 Championships. Germany qualifies as host, the four Group winners automatically earn a place, and the three best-ranked runners-up fill the remaining spots.

England U-19 1 Denmark U-19 0

England U-19

Houldsworth, Rachelle

Cardin, Faye

Traynor,Jo

Bailey, Beth

Cox, Shelly (Hickmott, Michelle, 78)

Scott, Alex

McDougall, Kelly -captain

Asante, Anita

Potter,Jo

Ward, Katy (Thomas, Emma, 58)

Aluko, Eniola

Substitutes not used

Beaver,Catherine

Ta, Sheuneen

Burrows, Lisa

Poole,Darel

Laura, Frogatt

Denmark U-19

Graversen, Susanne

Krommenhoek, Solveu

Sand, Camilla Andersen

Pedersen, Pil

Paulsen, Louise ( Norgensen, Pernille, 86)

Knudsen,Mariann

Vester, Eva

Aagard, Stine Pedersen

Haastrup,Karen

Pedersen, Kristine (Jensen, Sandra, 67)

Stentoft, Marie Herpine

Substitutes not used

Lykke,Stina Petersen

Jensen, Maria Juul

Greusen, Helene

Hansen, Maria

Game

Saturday England found it tough to play a scrappy Denmark side that was trying to repair some of the damage to their pride after losing their first two matches. The only goal came at the 38th. minute when Alex Scott scored off a free kick by Kelly McDougall. In the second half with the wind behind them Denmark kept England on the defensive but were unable to score, even though substitute Emma Thomas was red carded (two yellows) in the last minutes of the game.

Post game quote

England Team Captain Kelly McDougall

We went into this game knowing we had to win to qualify and there were a lot of nerves at the end coming up to the final whistle. This was our seventh game together as a team and we haven't lost, so we were proud to keep up that record today. We have had a lot of new players come in and we play better the longer we go on. I've been made up to be captain and I've actually enjoyed the responsibility of looking after the new girls in this tournament. We did well in the tournament last year by getting to the semi-finals, but I know that this year we can go even further.

Final table

Team         P W D L F A Pts

Spain         3 2 1 0 8 3 7

England        3 2 1 0 5 1 7

Rep. Ireland 3 1 0 2 2 6 3

Denmark 3 0 0 3 1 6 0

Other

England play a friendly away in Sweden next month as part of their preparations for the UEFA Under-19 Championship taking place in Germany in July.