I spent last night at the Beaublanc Stade in Limoges to watch the future talent of Engish football (and French, of course). The match was accorded all the trappings of a full France-England international and it did not disappoint. I was full of admiration at the high quality of football from both teams: skill, pace, technique and fair play. The match ended in a 2-2 draw, merited as there did not deserve to be a loser.Will Keane fired in the first goal after some rapid movement in the box by Cole. France deservedly equalised just before the interval with an overhead kick by their number 9. England's second goal, a free-kick by Robinson that fizzed low through the French wall galvanised the French into pressing the England defense resulting in a 'soft' penalty decision for a diving header to clear a cross that brushed the defender's arm. Justice was served when their goalscorer ballooned over the bar. They finally gained their reward with a goal 5 minutes from time...another 'soft' decision for an innocuous push. I thought that Blackman in goal was too far off his line when the ball flew high over the England wall and the 'keeper into the net. However, a fair result in the end.
Amid all the finacial doom & gloom, this spectacle raised my hopes for English football...a great team performance worthy of the senior squad. Perhaps the media & especially those sports writers poised to write-off England's future should spend more time focussing on the brilliant talent in our future young sports stars instead of 'digging the dirt'.
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