England crash out of Under-17 World Cup to Uzbekistan – ranked just 73rd in the world… and Young Lions lose their heads when minnows’ manager boots the ball away to stop them equalising!
- Uzbekistan’s U17 manager caused chaos when he kicked the ball into the stands
- Jamoliddin Rahmatullayev was sent away, but still protested his innocence
- The curse of our game is referee abuse, we are not doing enough to stop it. The punishments must be SEVERE – It all starts
England Under-17s have a new enemy in the form of Uzbekistan Under-17 manager Jamoliddin Rahmatullayev, who fired the ball into the stands in the dying moments of his country’s 2-1 win over the Three Lions.
Uzbekistan defeated England in nine minutes of stoppage time in the U17 World Cup last-16 match, when Rahmatullayev threw the ball into Row Z to delay a throw-in.
Players from both sides rushed forward as tempers flared and Rahmatullayev was sent off for his unsportsmanlike conduct.
Always mischievous, he protested his innocence and could see his team clinging to victory after thirteen minutes of stoppage time.
An England squad packed with talent from top Premier League academies including Manchester City and Chelsea were reeling from anger after the controversial offense.
Uzbekistan U17 manager Jamoliddin Rahmatullayev kicked the ball into the stands to waste time as England lost 2–1
The players were furious when the minnows coach knocked the ball away to prevent England from equalizing
English players ran to the manager and were followed by youngsters from Uzbekistan
Rahmatullayev was sent off for his unsportsmanlike conduct, but his team ultimately won the match
Uzbekistan celebrated the historic victory but will be without a manager for their next match
England fell behind after just four minutes. Amirbek Saïdov scored a header rebound.
Man City youngster Joel Ndala restored parity after 36 minutes, leaving it all to play for in the second half.
However, Lazizbek Mirzeav’s stunning free kick after 67 minutes proved to be the goal that would send the 2017 champions home.
This is a disappointing end to what was a promising tournament in Indonesia for Greg Lincoln’s next generation of England stars.
The Three Lions beat New Caledonia 10-0, defeated Iran 2-1 and lost 2-1 to Brazil as they topped their group.
Ndala was England’s top scorer at the tournament with three goals, while Reiss-Alexander Russell-Denny also scored a pair of goals.
Uzbekistan has reached its first quarter-final since 2011, after which the country will face either France or Senegal.
More to follow.
Greg Lincoln’s young side were left devastated after their controversial exit from the tournament
Joel Ndala equalized for England after 36 minutes, but it was not to be for the youngsters
Lazizbek Mirzeav scored a stunning free-kick in the second half to send England’s star players home