England U21:  2 (Defoe 2, Crouch 52)  Switzerland:  1 (Frei 59)  World Cup football home page
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England Under 21 beat Switzerland Under 21 in their first match of the Under 21 European Championships on Friday May 17 2002 in Zurich, Switzerland. This was the ideal start for England against the home side in the competition. The England team was:
 
 
 
The England Under 21 team was:
 
                                                        Paul Robinson* (Leeds)
                                                       
                                                       
 
  Luke Young (Charlton)          Chris Riggott (Derby)       Gareth  Barry (A Villa)          Paul Konchesky (Charlton)
                                     
 
 Jermaine Pennant (Arsenal)   Sean Davis (Fulham)*         David Dunn (Captain, Blackburn)      Alan Smith (Leeds)   
                                                    David Prutton* 34 (Notts Forest)
 
                                     Jermaine Defoe (West Ham)           Peter Crouch (Aston Villa)
                                     Shola Ameobi  77 (Newcastle)       Scott Parker 63 (Charlton)
                      
 

* Booked during game


The Swiss Under 21 team was Bener, Meyer, Magnin, Grichting, Keller, Melunovic, Zanni* (Gygax 60), Friedli (Raimondi 80), Cabanas, Frei (Bieli 80), Berisha
 

After only 2 minutes of the game England went 1-0 up. Captain David Dunn passed to Jermaine Pennant and he ran down the right wing - he then put a great cross in to Jermaine Defoe, who slid in to put the ball in the net from five yards out. Later on in the first half, Alan Smith (playing in midfield), David Dunn and Peter Crouch all had chances to increase the lead for England.

Sean Davis was booked in the first half and after more fouls the England Under 21 manager, David Platt replaced him before half time with David Prutton.

 


Peter Crouch scores the second goal for England


After 52 minutes, England were 2-0 up. David Dunn hit a free kick from just outside the box straight into the Swiss wall but the ball fell to Peter Crouch - he beat the Swiss defender by stretching out his long leg and striking the ball into the net to the goalkeepers right.

Switzerland pulled a goal back less than ten minutes later. After a harsh handball decision, Frei hit a brilliant free kick from 30 yards out past England goalkeeper, Paul Robinson and into the top corner of the goal.

Switzerland then pressed forward for an equaliser and gave England several worrying moments late on in the match. Robinson had to make several great saves to keep England in front at the end.


 


Who played well: Paul Robinson, Peter Crouch, Alan Smith, Jermaine Pennant, Jermaine Defoe and David Dunn had very good performances

Who did not do as well: the referee, Hanacsek (Hungary) gave too many incorrect decisions, nearly all of which were to the home side and had a below average performance