England beat Japan 5-3 in penalty shoot out to enter the quarter finals of U 17 World Cup Football

Tie breaker had to be introduced as the scheduled time remained goalless . During penalty shoot out England scored from all their attempts while Japan’s Inata Kida s shot was brilliantly saved by England keeper Curtis Anderson who also scored from his attempt in the penalty shoot out. Other England players to score were Rihan Brewster, Hudson,Foden and Nya Kirbi.

For Japan only Yukihari, Miyashiro and Kojuki found the target in the tie breaker. 

With their midfield  combining well there was no doubt about England’s supremacy, even without their start striker Jadon Sanches, who had to depart after the league stage to play for his German club Borsia Dortmund.

That they could not force a goal  till  the tie breaker because of poor finishing by their up front who failed to find the target even after forcing their way into Japanese penalty box time and again.Post also came in their  way when midfielder Rihan Brewster’s stingy shot from inside the box hit the wooden post  in the  27th minute.

But Jadon’s absence was felt much as England, favourite in this match, struggled hard to open their score book.

Japan ,who went into defensive from the beginning, also earned a couple of opportunities from counter attack  but forward Keito Nakamura failed to cash in on those chances.

After a barren first half, Japan showed some purpose and forced a number of corners but  failed to convert the chances into goal.

Towards the end of the second half  England again made a series of goal bound attacks but all of  those came to naught as these were  desperately saved by a stubborn Japanese defense. 

In the quarter final England will take on United States in Goa on Oct 21.

(Reporting by Manik Banerjee)

Image: FIFA.com