'Under 21 focus' Holland 0 England 0

England's Under-21s kicked off their new season with a 0-0 draw in Holland last night. Micah Richards was named as captain and started with all eight of his squad members who were in Sweden in June, with Fabien Delph, James Vaughan and debutant Junior Stanislas making up the starting eleven. Pearce also gave debuts to five other players as he saw his full squad of 19 play some part in the game.

Throughout the first half both teams were looking strong, England had Delph in midfield with Danny Rose and Stanislas on the wings looking most likely to create something, Holland had their own danger-men, Middlesbrough man Marvin Emnes was lively on the right while Diego Biseswar produced a couple of good efforts at goal, but nothing that would worry Scott Loach.

The defences at both ends looed strong. The young Lions had Jack Rodwell protecting their back four, and at the other end, Leroy Fer was doing a similar job for the home team.

It was a defender who had the best chance of the first half, just on the stroke of half-time. Richards picked the ball up deep in his own half and moved forward with pace, a quick one-two with Stanislas saw the Manchester City player on the edge of the box with a clear sight at goal, his shot was low and hard but Newcastle United goalkeeper Tim Krul was there to stop it at the second attempt.

Stuart Pearce made two changes at the break replacing James vaughan with Daniel Sturridge giving him his debut and Frank fielding coming on for Scott Loach.

The start of the second half saw Emnes continue to have a say on proceedings and he worked well Nacer Barazite to see a chance open for him six yards out, but Michael Mancienne blocked well. Emnes's header just a few minutes later had Frank Fielding diving across his goal, but the ball went wide of the post.

England came close to a goal from a Stanislas free-kick after a foul on Lee Cattermole but the West Ham winger’s shot was dealt with easily enough by Krul.

Pearce continued with the changes and brought on the rest of his subs, with first Under-21s games for Chris Smalling, Jack Wilshere, Andy Carroll and Freddie Sears.

Fielding was called into action again, pulling off two good saves in the closing 20 minutes, which had the otherwise quiet Dutch fans cheering in excitement.

Dutch substitute Vurnon Anita almost won the game in the closing minutes with a hard dipping shot from 25 yards. The ball beat fielding, but it hit the bar and bounced away to safety.

Full Time: Holland 0- England 0

Match Officials
Referee Babak Rafati (Ger)
Assistants Holger Henschel and Christian Bornhorst
Fourth Official Michel Winter (Ned)