England goalkeeper Curtis Anderson saved a penalty and converted one of his own in a 5-3 penalty shoot-out victory over Japan that sees the Three Lions into the quarter-finals at the FIFA U-17 World Cup India 2017. This after a goalless draw in Kolkata on Tuesday evening.

Nya Kirby converted the winning spot-kick after Hinata Kida was the unfortunate victim of a fine save by the Manchester City custodian.

Despite controlling most of the match, England struggled to convert against the Asian side, who grew in confidence as the match progressed, and they will need to better take their chances in the quarter-finals against USA in Goa on Saturday.

Rhian Brewster was the early spark for the European side, creating a number of early chances in the first half - the best of which came in the 25th minute when he hit the post with his shot from a tight angle.

 

Led by Takefusa Kubo in attack, Japan showed marked improvement after the hour mark, but the match really came to life in the final ten minutes. For England, substitute Emile Smith Rowe went close in the 83rd minute, and Josef Bursik had a dangerous shot cut out shortly after.

For Japan, their best opportunity came in the 87th minute when substitute Naoki Tsubaki’s short pass into the box found captain Shimpei Fukuoka in space near the penalty spot, but his shot was deflected agonisingly past the left post.

(Picture & Report courtesy: www.fifa.com)