Penalty pain yet again as young Lions fall in semis
ENGLAND’S Under 17s suffered that familiar tournament rite of passage as their home European Championship campaign came to a shuddering halt with penalty shoot-out defeat against Holland. Arsenal’s Folarin Balogun was the fall-guy when his spot-kick was saved by Joey Koorevaar after 11 perfect penalties. England coach Steve Cooper said: ‘It feels painful now, but when the dust settles they will feel proud. We have no regrets. ‘I am proud and satisfied. We’re in a good place to kick on.’ The shoot-out heartache came after a compelling game that saw England waste the clearer openings. With senior boss Gareth Southgate watching from the stands, Chelsea’s Faustino Anjorin fired against the post after dancing past three challenges, and Bobby Duncan drilled a low free-kick wide. The second half was subdued but Mohammed Ihattaren could have won it for Holland late on. But they would hold their nerve from the spot.