Ante Crnac was on the bench for last night's Croatia U21 group stage qualifier against group leaders Portugal U21. He came on as a 66th minute substitute, with Portugal leading 0:1 (HT 0:0) and Croatia looking for an equaliser. He was immediately into the action, producing a carbon copy of his penalty area turn and cross early in our game against the Blades. Portugal at that stage were defending deep and in numbers, and the cross was hacked away. Croatia huffed and puffed to no avail against the well-organised Portuguese, and it was no surprise when the visitors scored a second, on the break, in the 88th minute. Croatia drop to 3rd in the group, but with a game in hand on Greece U21, who took over 2nd.
It's a shame for the guy. Thorup has some interesting permutations available if Sargent doesn't make the Swansea game.
Brad Hills has been called up as a late replacement to what used to be the England U20s, now known as the Elite League. He joins Ben Chrisene, Kellen Fisher and Kaide Gordon, all of whom were named in the original squad.
His 40+ matches for Accrington Stanley seem to have accelerated his development past Tomkinson and Warner
0-2 now - oh no it was ruled out only 0-1 I was strongly told by all the armchair fans that Southgate was to blame for England not winning everything. How's the new manager working out?
Even, end to end game. 2:2 would have been a fair result. Looked as if Italy were denied a legitimate goal when the ball was ruled not over the line. Chrisene played well; Fisher had his hands full and was caught out at the back post for the Italy goal.
Josh Sargent played 67 mins in the USA's 2:0 victory over Panama in today's friendly match in Austin, Texas. This was Pochettino's first game in charge, with Sargent playing as the lone striker in a 3:4:2:1 set up. With the score 1:0 when Josh was substituted, the second goal was added late in the game by his replacement, the PSV striker Ricardo Pepi.
Oscar will still be 18 when the season finishes in May, then turns 19 on 17 May. Definitely a player requiring patience.
Doyle has quit the England U21 squad. His place is taken by......Kellen Fisher. The boy is rising in the football world.
Can somebody explain to a simpleton like me why, when we have bought a specialist left back worthy of inclusion in the under 21 national squad, do we insist on losing the huge initial impact of Doyle by playing him at left back?
