U21 post match reaction

Last updated : 15 October 2008 By Wales Reporter

Brian Flynn: "In my eyes, we just edged it. It was a close game at Ninian Park, and England took their chances well.

"But I think we took more out of the two games than they did.

"I'm bitterly disappointed with the result, but I'm also incredibly proud of how we performed," he said. "But I'm not surprised at how we responded. We have tremendous desire, passion and quality throughout the side.

"I set them an agenda to still be alive with 30 minutes to go and they did that.

"It was disappointing to concede two goals from set-pieces, but they were high quality delieveries.

"Maybe Tom Huddlestone's sending off worked against us.

"As it often is, it was harder to play against 10 men. And credit to England, they closed the game out. But they were two fantastic games."

England coach Stuart Pearce could not hide his relief at his side's progress.

"That was probably as close as we've come to losing our 26-game unbeaten record over 90 minutes," he said. "I don't think that another team in Europe could have given us a bigger test.

"Both games were a great advert for British football, and in a way, I'm disappointed for Brian that Wales haven't got through.

"Whoever went through would have done the British Isles proud next summer. But I'm very, very proud of my team."

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