It was Portugal who had the first shot just two minutes into the match, when
Joao Pinhal hit a stinging long range shot which was tipped over the bar by
Ben Alwick for the first corner of the game.
England were slow starters, but got into their stride on ten minutes with a
fine flowing move involving Michael Mancienne, Jack Watkins, Myles Weston
and Chris James which saw the first piece of action in the Portugal area -
but they managed to clear with England failing to get a shot in.
Two minutes later England had their first effort of the evening, when Danny
Reed advanced from midfield with the ball before firing a powerful left foot
drive towards goal, but Janota was equal to the shot.
England were producing some fine moves at this stage and the exciting Myles
Weston made a superb 40 yard run down the left wing before moving into the
penalty area and unleashing a left foot effort that flew wide of the target.
Watkins and Lewis worked well to create a chance for the latter on 17 minutes, but his goalbound effort was deflected over the bar for England's
first corner of the night.
Chris James, who was probably England's best player on the night, created a
chance for himself on 22 minutes, showing some neat footwork before curling
a right foot effort towards goal which Janota claimed easily.
After plenty of England pressure, Portugal started to come forward on the counter attack and nearly took the lead when a fine ball by Samarra found
Pinhal, but his left foot volley flashed just wide of Alwick's far post.
Alwick was called into action just after the half hour mark, when Rui Gomes'
cross found Barbosa at the back post who let fly with an effort that Alwick pushed wide of the post with his feet.
The final effort of the first half saw Stuart Lewis attempt a long range effort, but his fierce effort was straight at Janota in the Portugal goal.
Half Time - England 0-0 Portugal
England went for an early goal straight away in the second half, as the impressive James tried an ambitious 30 yard effort which sailed over the
bar.
However, it was Portugal who took an early second half lead when Gomes was
sent clean through on goal, and despite being under pressure from Lewis, he fired a superb right foot shot into the back of the net giving Alwick no
chance.
Danny Reed almost grabbed an instant reply for England, cutting in the from
right hand side he had a pot shot from just inside the box, which was headed
over by Marques for a corner.
James once again showed his attacking qualities as he made another trademark run into the Portugal area, but once again he failed to find the net as this time his weak left foot effort was gathered by Janota.
Gary Roberts nearly found the equaliser England were searching for with just
a minute to go following a fine passing move, but his goalbound effort was deflected behind for another corner.
From the resulting corner substitute Moses Askikodi, who scored against the
USA on Monday, turned neatly and fired a shot at goal which Janota pushed
away, and then dived on the rebound and England's hopes of a point
disappeared.
Full Time - England 0 - 1 Portugal
John McDermott's men will look back on this came thinking what might have
been if they had taken one of their many first half chances in the match, as
they dominated most of the first half after a slow start.
The second half saw Portugal defend in numbers, and defend well they did as
England searched for a point, but their final ball was nothing like what it
was in the first half which will have disappointed McDermott.
Tom Loakes is a reporter with Notts County MAD.
