Report: Saudi Arabia 0-3 England Deaf Men

England Deaf Men beat Saudi Arabia 3-0 in their ranking match at the World Deaf Football Championships on Sunday.

The Para Lions’ 1-0 defeat to the USA in the round of 16 on Friday ended their hopes of winning the tournament but they still have ranking matches to see where they will ultimately finish.

A brace from Jamie Clarke and a goal from Oliver Manoochehri helped England defeat Saudi Arabia in Kuala Lumpur and set up a match on Tuesday with the winner of Nigeria and Gabon, who Sam Manoochehri’s side defeated 5-1 and 5-0 respectively in the group stages.

The Para Lions took the lead against Saudi Arabia inside the opening minute when Abdou Jobe slipped in captain Clarke and he expertly finished with the outside of his boot into the far corner.

Their next chance of note came just before the quarter of an hour mark when good play from Clarke and then Jobe’s cut-back saw Kehmati Anderson hit the post.

After an initial spell of Saudi pressure, England ended up dominating the first half.

Jobe volleyed over Gino King’s curling cross and Drew Rowley had a shot saved but the Para Lions had to settle for their 1-0 lead at the break, although their opponents did force Sam Edwards to tip over the bar just before the interval.

In the second half England created chances, with Anderson shooting wide and Cavell Donaldson having an effort saved, but they had to wait until the final 20 minutes to extend their advantage.

The second goal came when Donaldson showed good strength before crossing for Clarke to head home from close range.

And the third goal came when two substitutes linked up as Will Palmer played the ball into the run of Manoochehri and he slid to finish well into the far corner.

England had a great chance to add a fourth with what proved to be the game's final kick when Clarke was pulled down in the box, but the captain’s penalty hit the outside of the post.

England: 13 Sam Edwards, 3 Dylan Cross, 5 Matt Oaten, 6 Rylan Casey, 7 Abdou Jobe, 9 Jamie Clarke ©, 14 Cavell Donaldson, 15 Gino King, 16 Drew Rowley, 18 Cole Neil, 20 Kehmati Anderson

Substitutes: 2 Harry Boorman for Neil  55, 10 Oliver Manoochehri for Jobe 55, 19 Will Palmer for Donaldson 55, 4 Phil Swift for King 72, 8 Ellis McLean for Anderson 72

Substitutes not used: 1 Alex Smith, 12 Joe Dixon, 17 Henry Bowe

Head coach: Sam Manoochehri

Goals: Jamie Clarke 1, 73, Oliver Manoochehri 80