The 2009 UEFA u-17 European Championships kicked off in Germany today, with Arsenal eyes particularly drawn to the England-Holland encounter in Cottbus, where there were no less than four Gunners on show.
Jack Wilshere and Luke Freeman started for the Three Lions, with Benik Afobe on the bench, whilst Oguzhan Ozyakup captained the Netherlands.
Prior to the game, Ozyakup had spoken about his desire to annihalate his team-mates and he was true to his word. With just four minutes gone, he landed the first blow. Shabir Isoufi cut the ball back from the by-line and Ozyakup was on hand to lash the ball home.
He could have had a second soon after, but saw his shot saved by Jed Steer in the England goal. At the other end, Wilshere was beginning to grow in stature.
After rattling the crossbar with a chipped free-kick, he played a killer pass through to Everton’s Jose Baxter, but the young forward couldn’t finish.
Wilshere continued to make an impression after the break with a cunning effort from distance and England eventually levelled when Leeds’ Luke Garbutt, the left-back, fired home from a narrow angle.
Afobe replaced the tiring Freeman on 75 minutes, but struggled to make an impact.
England take on Germany on Saturday, whilst the Netherlands face Turkey, another country which Ozyakup has allegiances to.
I saw the match… And I think Ozyakup is as good as Cesc was at that age. Also, I felt England could have used a player like Aneke… And Afobe was a tad dissapointing, is he always like that?
cesc is not athletic enough to be world class, he gets shrugged off the ball to easily, and has no turn of pace, and even then his top speed is nothing to be admired
11 u crazy cesc is 21 hes not even physically developed yet. Watch when hes 26/27 he will be stronger and quicker. I think nasri will replace cesc in midfield. Nasris got the pace and cesc will go off to barcelona.
Apparently jack wilshere and ozzie were the best players. Jack wilshere did a mazy dirrble where he beat four defenders brilliant
jeorge can u please please please PLLLEEEAAASSEEE get tha highlights…. it wud b gr8
Where did you see the game haho?
I’ve never been that impressed by Afobe neither, his first touch is a problem.
Aneke is a bit young but I believe Frimpong should have been called.
I saw the game on some channel via myp2p.eu, it was in english. No clue how. It was sopcast.
Why isnt Aneke in U17s squad hes played for them when he was 14 last year ?
The England U17′s vs Germany U17′s football match is on Eurosport this saturday afternoon.
Deniz Mehmet also represents Arsenal in the tournament, playing for Turkey in their 3-1 defeat at the hands of Germany.
Made one good save, but generally, isn’t that good a ‘keeper.
Although you are right Deniz Mehmet did not have the best of games against Germany, however what goalkeeper in the competition did? But look on both match reports against Holland and England and see the reviews this youngster has got, also he has been mentioned as 1 of 7 players to watch from europe in the world cup on the FIFA website: http://www.fifa.com/u17worldcup/news/newsid=1059392.html#germany+spearhead+euro+sextet
That is the link to the FIFA website and also this link from a respectible football website:
http://www.tribalfootball.com/west-ham-keeper-deniz-mehmet-tipped-big-things-fifa-249534
Your comment on this young goalkeeper is untrue, as you have just made an observation on him in one match. I advise everybody who reads your input to this site to click on the links that i have posted to show what you think of this young goalkeeper is an untrue statement and out of order. SC
IOA- Mehmet left years agohes now at West Ham so you cant claim him.
Deniz Mehmet isn’t an Arsenal Keeper…
I think you mean Yilmaz Aksoy,but he’s only 15 years old and isn’t in the squad for the tournament…
yilmaz is no longer a arsenal keeper he is not sighned
Apologies lads, thanks for the correction.
Dear friends,
I have to have my say about this young goalkeeper(Deniz Mehmet),I have seen this boy play a few times,this boy is head and shoulders above anyone in his age group.He is certanly not the finish article yet but what keeper is when you watch international goalkeepers make stupid mistakes and they are on thousands of pounds a week.this boy is and still very young one for the future.