England

By Cathy Harris

A YOUTHFUL England men’s team were given a lesson in clinical finishing yesterday when Holland bounced back from their 1-0 defeat in Thursday’s friendly international in Amsterdam to win the second match 5-3.
However, England gave a good account of themselves, hitting back from 3-0 down to create several good chances. “We saw lots of promise from this young side and some of the more experienced players may struggle to regain their places,” David Whittle, the England manager, said. “But there’s still a long way to go at this level.”



Ben Hawes set up Matt Daly, who pulled a goal back on half-time to make it 3-1, and Richard Mantell scored with a drag flick at a penalty corner to reduce the two-goal deficit at 4-2 in the 43rd minute. Trailing 5-2, James Stedman struck with a consolation effort in the last minute.

Jason Lee, the acting coach, took plenty of positives from losing to the Athens Olympics silver medal-winners and can now celebrate the confirmation of his appointment as head coach of the men’s team.

The former Olympian made a favourable impression as Great Britain coach at the Olympics during the summer.

Danny Kerry, in charge of the Canterbury women’s team since 2001, has been appointed to the England women’s job. Kerry, 33, is a former Southgate national league player and, although considered an outsider for the post, he has earned an excellent reputation through his work with national junior teams.

He faces a tough task in restoring England’s pride, not to mention a better world ranking, but believes that the present crop of young players is equal to the task. “England have had no focus since failing to qualify for the Olympics,” he said. “I’ll be talking to players uncertain about their international futures and then we must build towards a Test series in South Africa in January and the Champions Challenge in the US in July.”

One player Kerry will not be calling up is Jane Smith, the Slough player-coach, who has announced her retirement from the international scene. Smith, 35, won 256 England and Britain caps and played in the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games and three World Cups.

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