Report: England WU19s 1-0 Portugal
Young Lionesses make it two wins from two games at their U19 EURO qualifiers
England women's under-19s beat group hosts Portugal by 1-0 on Saturday evening in their UEFA Women's U19 EURO qualifiers to secure their place at the finals in Lithuania.
Following their 2-0 victory against Sweden on Wednesday, this win came courtesy of a Michelle Agyemang strike on the brink of half time and puts John Griffiths' side top of the group after two games.
The first half began with England on top as two early shots on target from forward Mia Enderby tested Catarina Potra between the sticks, but there seemed no way through just yet.
It was a very possession-based half for England, and they kept the host's chances to a minimum, with only one attempt on target at the half way stage.
And approaching the interval it looked to be all square, but with virtually the last kick of the half, Agyemang put England ahead. A corner from the left was flicked goalwards by Ashanti Akpan from close range and when Potra reacted well to save her effort, the ball landed at the feet of England’s number nine who fired home to put her team in front.
The second period began a more even affair as Portugal chased a way back into the game, but there was no goal for either side despite Portugal piling on the pressure in the latter stages.
With qualification for the Finals secure after this win, England will now finish their group fixtures against Italy on Tuesday.
England: 3 Evie Rabjohn (Manchester United), 4 Ashanti Akpan (Chelsea), 5 Lucy Newell (West Brom), 6 Brooke Aspin (Bristol City), 8 Madison Earl (Arsenal) 9 Michelle Agyemang (Watford/Arsenal), 10 Alexia Potter (Crystal Palace), 12 Vivienne Lia (Arsenal), 13 Katie Cox (GK) (Chelsea), 14 Mia Enderby (Liverpool), 20 Araya Dennis (Crystal Palace).
Substitutes: 17 Georgia Mullet (Aston villa) for 9 Agyemang, 59’. 16 Grace Ede (Sunderland) for 3 Rabjohn, 81’, 19 Ava Baker (Leicester) for 14 Enderby, 81’, 18 Louanne Worsey (Birmingham) for 20 Dennis, 81’.
Unused Subs: 1 Hannah Poulter (GK) (Reading), 2 Jessica Osborne (Summerville, S.C.), 7 Katy Watson (Sunderland), 15 Poppy Pritchard (Manchester City).
Coach: John Griffiths]
Goal: Michelle Agyemang 45+6