Krystian Pearce

Krystian Pearce was on the losing side for England U19's as they fell to a 2-0 defeat against the Czech Republic in their opening European U19 Championship match on Monday evening.

The sides were evenly matched in the first half; before the Three Lions conceded two second half goals in quick succession against the host nation in Jablonec.

Ten minutes after the break a long ball over the top caused confusion between Pearce and England keeper David Button.

With Button out of his area and unable to handle the ball Tomáš Necid collected it and rolled it into an empty net.

The second goal arrived just three minutes later when Necid volleyed home a corner from seven yards out.

Brian Eastick

The Czech side were reduced to nine men late in the second half of the game after collecting two red cards, but Brian Eastick's England side were unable to take advantage of the situation.

"We knew that the Czech Republic have some very good players and playing at home, it was going to be a hard game for us," said England coach Eastick.

"There was an error between the two central defenders and the goalkeeper for the first goal and for the second goal; it was quite evident that the marking was non existent.

"If you give the opposition any free shot at goal in the six yard box, then you're going to concede goals.

"To say the marking was poor would be an understatement.

"The disappointment for me was when we went two goals down and they were a man down, the England players out there were capable of playing much better football," he added.

"Instead of keeping our heads to keep on probing and passing the ball, we didn't and we looked disorganised.

"We should have played more sensibly, with more technique and we would have had a good chance to get back to 2-1 and then we would have had a chance.

"But we didn't move the ball quick enough or stretch the Czech Republic out enough.

"We have no complaints about the result though, I thought over the 90 minutes, the Czech Republic deserved to win the game."

Eastick's side now face Italy on Thursday evening, before their final Group B game against Greece next Sunday.

England: David Button, Jack Cork, Danny Gosling (Jamie Chandler, 78) James Tomkins, Krystian Pearce, Scott Sinclair (Tope Obadeyi, 64) Kieran Gibbs, Daniel Sturridge, Freddie Sears, Danny Rose, Ryan Bertrand.

Subs not used: Jason Steele, Victor Moses, Fabian Delph, Ben Mee.