England U21s 2 Romania U21s 1: Smalling gives Young Lions slender lead in play-off

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_4nVdxBbTfoendofvid

[starttext]
By LAURA WILLIAMSON

Rough and tumble: Jack Wilshere is fouled by Romania's Ionut Neagu


Jack Wilshere helped put England’s Under 21s within touching distance of the 2011 European Championships before being promoted to the full senior side.

Goals from Chris Smalling and Jordan Henderson compensated for a Ryan Bertrand own goal but England will have to play the second leg of their play-off in Romania on Tuesday lunchtime without star man Wilshere.

Fabio Capello was at a sold-out Carrow Road last night and Wilshere – who was named in both the Under 21 and senior squads – will join up with his senior side today ahead of England’s Euro 2012 qualifier against Montenegro at Wembley on Tuesday.

England Under 21 boss Stuart Pearce said: ‘I tried my hardest (to keep Wilshere). Part of me is pleased that he’s going to meet the seniors and it shows the opportunity that’s there for the Under 21 players.

'But we feel we have the quality in this squad and I hope Jack gets a game against Montenegro.

‘He’s an outstanding player. We have to monitor him and look after him, but I feel experiences like this can only help him as a player.’

Pearce used the 18-year-old in the centre of an attacking midfield three rather than in the defensive position he has occupied for Arsenal this season.

The 18-year-old struggled to get involved in a first half in which the play largely went on behind him, but there were still flashes of the talent that has earned him a senior call up.


One to remember: Jordon Henderson celebrates his goal


Pearce had rejected the suggestion England were favourites to win this play-off, pointing out Romania topped their qualifying group – finishing comfortably ahead of Russia - while England were runners up behind Greece.

Emil Sandoi’s side lost just one of their 10 qualifiers – a crushing 5-1 defeat by Latvia – but recorded clean sheets in eight of their other nine matches.

The Under 21 boss was right. The visitors packed their half of the pitch with two solid banks of four, with Florin Gardos marshalling the minimal space in between, and left 6ft striker Marius Alexe, 20, as a lone presence up front.


Watching brief: England manager Fabio Capello in the stands at Carrow Road


They were organised, threatened on the counter-attack and were buoyed by the return of captain Gabriel Torje, the 5ft 5ins Dynamo Bucharest winger known as the ‘Romanian Messi’ who has already won two senior caps.


An enticing 12th minute free-kick to the far post and a powerful first-time shot just before half-time showed how dangerous he could be.


But England probed and battled and a dipping right-foot 20-yard shot from Sunderland’s Jordan Henderson, who had an excellent game in a defensive midfield role, put the hosts ahead after 63 minutes after goalkeeper Silviu Lung had punched Tom Cleverley’s corner away.

England’s lead lasted just eight minutes as Ryan Bertrand deflected a speculative shot from Ioan Hora past Frank Fielding, but Chris Smalling’s first international goal sealed an impressive first leg win

The Manchester United defender, still only 18, powered a header past Lung after Daniel Sturridge had nodded back Marc Albrighton’s corner, which was poked on by Wilshere.

Pearce said: ‘We have got our noses in front, but it’s still tight. One very good side won’t be going to the finals.

'It’s totally in the balance for Tuesday but we are going to go to Romania and try to win another game. I thought the match was a great advert for Under 21s football.’



source: dailymail [endtext]