Lita penalty woe as England draw blank

Czech Republic U21 0 England U21 0

David Nugent and Kieran Richardson missed England’s best chances in open play of the Group B opener in Arnhem, Holland.

Richardson missed a header from point-blank range after Milner’s cross had been flicked on by Nugent.

Then Nugent was gifted a chance to open the scoring with 19 minutes left when Husek misplaced a pass, but the striker flashed wide.

A first defeat since 2005 looked possible when the Czechs hit the woodwork and created chances on the break. Scott Carson was then required to acrobatically tip Daniel Pudil’s free-kick onto the post, with the pace of the game increasing slightly.

And England got their chance for the winner from the penalty spot with three minutes remaining.

Roman Hubnik handled in the area, but substitute Lita flashed wide from 12 yards.

“We can play a lot better than that, we’re still alive and kicking but we’re bitterly disappointed. But that’s the nature of top-level football, you can’t take anything for granted,” said manager Stuart Pearce afterwards, refusing to blame Lita.

“Lita is brimming with confidence and rightly so, he stood up, he wanted to take the penalty and we collectively missed.”

The Czechs are expected to be the weakest team in England’s pool, with Serbia and Italy expected to provide stiffer opposition.

CZECH REP: Zlamal, Kaufman, Hubnik, Kopic, Svec, Rajtoral (Kladrubsky 71), Husek, Jirsak, Pudil, Kysela (Blazek 79), Kolar (Fillo 18).

ENGLAND: Carson, Hoyte, Onuoha, Cahill, Baines, Reo-Coker, Huddlestone (Noble 82), Richardson (Routledge 56), Milner (Lita 64), Nugent, Young.