Netherlands U-19 1-0 England U-19: Another 'ghost goal' debacle denies young Three Lions

Delfouneso denied as Dutch grab much needed win in controversial fashion...

21 Jul 2010 19:40:00

By Gary Niblock

FA Cup: Nathan Delfouneso, Emile Heskey, Aston Villa v Blackburn Rovers (Getty Images)

There was no footballing tapestry created in this encounter in Bayeux, however that will be of little concern to Wim Van Zwam's Dutch Under-19 side who pulled off a vital win to keep their semi-final hopes alive.

The Dutch showed no after-effects from their comprehensive 4-1 defeat to France and took the lead after six minutes through Steven Berghuis, who quickly justified his selection. Taking advantage of slack marking from the static Nathan Baker, the young Twente midfielder powerfully headed home a wicked ball whipped into the box from Jerson Cabral.

Cabral had a good game throughout with his Robbenesque trickery down the right. Feyenoord wonderkid Luc Castaignos also shone, being denied by Declan Rudd after unleashing a fine volley and then (rightly) having a goal disallowed for offside.

The Dutch had a lucky escape on 26 minutes when Villa's Nathan Delfouneso incredibly contrived to strike the ball against the sole defender on the line after the shaky Jeroen Zoet inextricably spilled a Reece Brown free-kick.

Controversy reigned halfway through the second period when it was England's turn to have a goal ruled out. Delfouneso was incredibly adjudged to have handballed before stroking the ball into the net, a decision that justifiably provoked a disbelieving reaction from Noel Blake's young charges.

Despite the endeavours of the English, who undoubtedly improved as the game went on, becoming more organised and coherent, they failed to break down the Dutch defence and have a long way to go before emulating the Spanish style of play they recently admitted they aspire to.

With France romping to a five-goal victoryin the group's other game, les Bleuets are all but through, with second spot still up for grabs.

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