Published 19 August 2023 3 min read
England Para Teams
Report: England Men's Blind 0-1 China
Para Lions miss out on knockout stages after suffering defeat to China in Birmingham
England men's blind team suffered a narrow defeat in their final group match at the IBSA World Championship in Birmingham on Saturday.
It took a second-half goal from Jiabin Zhang to settle the contest in favour of an impressive Chinese team, leaving the Para Lions without a win from their three group games.
Following their opening game defeat to Germany and a draw with Argentina in their second match, the result means England's challenge on home turf comes to an end while China progress to the knockout stage.
China were on the front foot from the off and enjoyed the better of the proceedings in the first half, while Dan English was the Para Lions' best outlet as he flashed a shot wide before seeing another fly into the side netting soon after.
At the other end, Dylan Malpas pulled off a great save to deny Zhang's free-kick with a low block to his left as the teams went in level at half time.
With ten minutes left, the Chinese winner arrived as a good run and crossfield pass picked out Zhang on the right, and when he broke through the England defence he finished well into the roof of the goal.
England tried to find their way back into the game but were left frustrated as English fired inches wide and Efe Shimwell couldn't connect with a cross as full time approached.
The final chance came in the dying seconds when England were handed a free-kick in front of goal, with English's shot blocked before the final buzzer sounded.
England will now take on Turkey in their play-off game on Monday afternoon at 12.30pm BST.
England: 1 Dylan Malpas, 3 Owen Bainbridge, 5 Dan English, 8 Efe Shimwell, 9 Roy Turnham
Substitutes: Sam Marsden, Azeem Amir, Brandon Coleman, Eesa Amjid
Head coach: Adam Bendam
It took a second-half goal from Jiabin Zhang to settle the contest in favour of an impressive Chinese team, leaving the Para Lions without a win from their three group games.
Following their opening game defeat to Germany and a draw with Argentina in their second match, the result means England's challenge on home turf comes to an end while China progress to the knockout stage.
China were on the front foot from the off and enjoyed the better of the proceedings in the first half, while Dan English was the Para Lions' best outlet as he flashed a shot wide before seeing another fly into the side netting soon after.
At the other end, Dylan Malpas pulled off a great save to deny Zhang's free-kick with a low block to his left as the teams went in level at half time.
With ten minutes left, the Chinese winner arrived as a good run and crossfield pass picked out Zhang on the right, and when he broke through the England defence he finished well into the roof of the goal.
England tried to find their way back into the game but were left frustrated as English fired inches wide and Efe Shimwell couldn't connect with a cross as full time approached.
The final chance came in the dying seconds when England were handed a free-kick in front of goal, with English's shot blocked before the final buzzer sounded.
England will now take on Turkey in their play-off game on Monday afternoon at 12.30pm BST.
England: 1 Dylan Malpas, 3 Owen Bainbridge, 5 Dan English, 8 Efe Shimwell, 9 Roy Turnham
Substitutes: Sam Marsden, Azeem Amir, Brandon Coleman, Eesa Amjid
Head coach: Adam Bendam