England’s dreams of reaching the IFCPF World Cup Final were crushed on Tuesday evening as they suffered a 3-0 defeat against Russia.
The scoreline perhaps doesn’t tell the true story though, as the Para Lions will feel they could’ve drawn level in a second half which saw them push Russia all the way.
Andy Smith’s side fell behind early in the eighth minute, when Russia opened the scoring through Dmitry Minenko after earlier hitting the bar with a long-range shot.
Marat Eloev then doubled their advantage in the 15th minute before England began to find their feet with captain Matt Crossen having a great shout for a penalty turned down just before the break.
Para Lions keeper Giles Moore was certainly the busier of the two stoppers though, and he was called on to make a number of saves to keep England in with a chance.
But with Russia having not conceded a goal all tournament, they kept that impressive record in tact as England forced a succession of late corners in the search for a lifeline.
And Russia rubbed salt into the wounds in the late stages when Eloev added his second of the night to make it 3-0 in the final minute.
The Para Lions still have a chance to better their performance at the 2017 World Cup, when they finished fourth, as they take on former group rivals Brazil in the third-fourth place decider on Friday evening (6pm BST).
England: 1 Giles Moore, 2 Liam Irons, 6 Matt Crossen (c), 7 Michael Barker, 9 George Fletcher, 10 David Porcher, 12 Matthew Robinson
Subs: 8 Dale Smith for Robinson, 3 Harry Baker for Barker
Subs not used: 4 Martin Sinclair, 5 Karl Townshend, 9 George Fletcher, 11 Jordan Twiss 13 Reagan McMillan, 14 Ethan Stone
