England lost 2-0 to France to finish sixth at the World Blind Football Championships in Argentina. France took the lead in the second minute of the game and sealed the victory with a strike a minute from time as England pushed forward.
England had defeated Japan 1-0 in the first game for 5th-8th places in the eight-team event thanks to a goal from Aj Ahmed.
France earned the showdown with England with a 1-0 win against Korea.
England missed out on a place in the semi-finals after losing 2-0 to Argentina and being held to goalless draws with Spain and Korea in their pool games.
But at half time against Japan, England coaches Tony Larkin and John Ball switched Ahmed from defence into attack.
Goalkeeper Jon Pugh denied Japan with a string of saves and England were rewarded late on when Ahmed found some space and hit a shot into the roof of the net for the winner.
England were hampered by the loss of striker Dave Clarke who broke his wrist earlier in the tournament.
England squad: Ajmal Ahmed, Andrew Briant, David Clarke, Lee Greatbach, Darren Harris, John Pugh, Keryn Seal, Rory Hollingshead, Stephen Winter, Simon Hill.
E-mail this to a friend 
Printable version 
