Robins on international duty
Posted: Monday, October 14th 2019
Monday, October 14th 2019
Ten City players have been called up to represent their countries during the international break and here's how they're getting on.
Wales manager Ryan Giggs has called upon defender Ashley Williams and Joe Morrell after the midfielder impressed on his Wales debut last month, while City youngster Sam Pearson and Joe Low have been named in Rob Page’s Wales Under-19s squad. Barney Soady had to withdraw because of a knee injury.
Callum O'Dowda (Republic of Ireland), Pedro Pereira (Portugal Under-21s), Han-Noah Massengo (France Under-19s) and Ádám Nagy (Hungary) have also gained international recognition.
Famara Diédhiou has been recalled to the Senegal squad, while club captain Bailey Wright travelled with Australia as they continue their World Cup qualification campaign.
Massengo helped France Under-19s overcome England 3-1 on Wednesday (October 9th) at the Marbella Football Centre in Spain.
Ulrick Brad Eneme-Ella gave France a third-minute lead but a penalty from England captain James Garner levelled the scores midway through the second half. The Young Lions fell behind two minutes later as France were awarded a spot-kick of their own, which Eneme-Ella converted, before Ruben Providence netted the decisive goal.
Massengo and his international teammates returned to competitive action on Friday (October 11th) when they came up against Belgium at the same venue.
Massengo was named on the bench for this contest, which finished 2-2, however the 18-year-old did come on for the final five minutes.
Ryan Giggs' side secured a point in Slovakia on Thursday night (October 10th) with a 1-1 draw in their Euro 2020 qualifier.
Kieffer Moore broke the deadlock with a well-placed header on his competitive debut before Juraj Kucka scored on the volley to bring the home side level.
Morrell was introduced from the bench in the 58th minute, while Williams was an unused substitute in Trnava.
As both sides battled it out for a late winner, Slovakia were reduced to ten-men two minutes from time as Norbert Gyomber picked up a second yellow.
Wales returned to the Cardiff City Stadium on Sunday (October 13th) to face Group E leaders Croatia.
The City duo were among the substitutes in the 1-1 draw, with Morrell coming off the bench five minutes into the second half to replace Ethan Ampadu.
Nikola Vlasic broke the deadlock inside ten minutes but his goal was cancelled out on the stroke of half-time by Gareth Bale. The point leaves Wales fourth in the group on eight points, with a game in hand.
City's skipper completed 90 minutes on Thursday morning (October 10th) as the Socceroos moved a step closer to the 2022 World Cup with a 5-0 victory over Nepal in Canberra - their biggest home win since 2016.
Jamie Maclaren scored hat-trick and Harry Souttar netted a brace on his debut to see Australia return to the top of Group B. The Socceroos have won both of their group fixtures to date, scoring eight and conceding none.
Graham Arnold and his team will now fly out to Chinese Taipei ahead of their third match in Group B, which is played at Kaohsiung Stadium on Tuesday (October 15th, 12.40pm KO).
Hungary fell to a 3-0 defeat to Croatia in their Euro 2020 qualifier on Thursday night (October 10th) but having picked up a collection of yellow cards, Nagy was unable to feature in this game.
The hosts raced into a three-goal lead before the break and Ivan Perisic was presented with the opportunity to add a fourth early into the second half, but failed to capitalise from the penalty spot.
Hungary recovered from that defeat to overcome Azerbaijan - the side at the foot of Group E - on Sunday (October 13th), but Nagy was not included in the matchday squad. Mihaly Korhut's 10th-minute strike was enough to secure three points for the hosts.
Portugal's youngsters fell to a 4-2 defeat against Holland on Friday evening (October 12th) in their Group G Euro Under-21 qualifier. Pereira was an unused substitute.
O'Dowda was an unused substitute in Republic of Ireland's goalless draw against Georgia on Saturday night (October 12th).
The stalemate sees Mick McCarthy's side go level with Denmark at the top of Group D on 12 points.
Republic of Ireland will look to build on their Euro qualification on Tuesday evening (October 15th, 7.45pm KO) when they travel to face Switzerland.
Diédhiou captured the headlines at the Singapore National Stadium on Thursday afternoon (October 10th) as his successful spot-kick on the stroke of half-time cancelled out Roberto Firmino's earlier goal to secure a 1-1 draw against Brazil.
Liverpool's Sadio Mane won the penalty for Senegal after being pulled back by Marquinhos and City's frontman drilled his strike beyond Ederson from 12 yards.
Diédhiou completed just over 75 minutes in the international friendly, before making way for Habib Diallo.
Pearson was named in the starting XI on Friday afternoon (October 11th) while Low, who was called into the squad on Wednesday, was named on the bench.
Despite leading at the break through Christian Norton, Austria hit back in the second half and secured a 3-1 win.
The Young Dragons bounced back on Monday afternoon (October 14th) with a 2-0 win over the same opponents, courtesy of goals from Cameron Evans and Josh Thomas. Pearson started the friendly, and was replaced on the hour mark, while Low was introduced from the bench on 70 minutes.
All times GMT
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