England U21s fail to win qualifier for first time in two years as Southgate slams pitch

England U21 coach Gareth Southgate criticised the quality of the pitch after the draw to Bosnia

ENGLAND Under-21s failed to win a qualifier for the first time in two years but moved top of Group Nine with their Euro 2017 draw against Bosnia.

 

Gareth Southgate's side played the last 18 minutes with 10 men after Southampton defender Jack Stephens was sent off but remain unbeaten in the quest for qualification for European Championship in two years' time.

Southgate criticised the state of the pitch, saying: "The simplest things become very difficult on that pitch, because it bounces up and you've got to have a touch and there's so many bouncing, bobbling balls.

"We attempted to keep playing as we want to but we couldn't move the ball quickly enough to break them down and create clear-cut chances.

 

"We're spoilt with the quality of our surfaces and you accept that coming away from home, that's one of the challenges.

"We took a hell of a lot of fouls and I think the game was difficult enough for technical players with the surface but when you get consistently fouled, you need some protection.

"There were a couple of flashpoint moments when we could lose our discipline, but we didn't and kept our third clean sheet.

England, who are now level with Norway and Switzerland on seven points, face the Swiss at the Amex Arena in Brighton on Monday and Southgate said: "That game becomes key now and if we win there, this becomes a good point."