Suspect we might enjoy, for once, the break in a week's time. Does mean of course that a number of key players will be on their travels. First up is Tom Cairney, who has been selected for the Scotland squad for games against Lituania and Malta. please log in to view this image Not 'over the moon' about Tom's selection given the question marks over his fitness. Midly surprised no Kevin McDonald in Strachan's collection. Full Scotland squad: http://www.scottishfa.co.uk/scottish_fa_news.cfm?page=2986&newsID=17149&newsCategoryID=1
Ollie Norwood has been called up to the Northern Ireland squad. They'e currently lying second in their group of World Cup qualifiers and take on San Marino away on September 1st then Czechoslovakia at home three days later.
The preliminary list from the Club. And what great news for Matt O'Riley. Senior squad Tom Cairney (Scotland) – World Cup Qualifiers Stefan Johansen (Norway) – World Cup Qualifiers Tomas Kalas (Czech Republic) – World Cup Qualifiers Neeskens Kebano (Congo) – Friendly & Africa Cup of Nations Qualifier Oliver Norwood (Northern Ireland) - World Cup Qualifiers Under-21s Jon Dagur Thorsteinsson (Iceland) – European Qualifier Under-20s Tayo Edun (England) – Friendlies Under-19s Atli Andrason (Iceland) – Friendlies Under-18s Matt O'Riley (England) – Friendlies Steven Sessegnon (England) – Friendlies Neat also that Tayo Edun is stepping up to the next age group (interestingly in midfield) after his performances in the U19 Euro winning team. Note that Ryan Sessegnon isn't in the England U21 squad which means he'll get a rest and that's kind of good.
Tom Cairney after yesterday's game v Ipswich: "You could say after a win like that we want a game next week, but no, with the injuries we've had, and especially mine. I'd like to get a couple of weeks training in if I can and rest it too. I'm going to speak with Scotland. I had an injection to play in the game yesterday so I'll speak to them and see what happens." Finger's crossed !
That's the right decision. It must be hard for Tom since he's had no real chances yet for Scotland, but he needs the extra week to get fit. If he's fit and good to go, he'll play many games for Scotland in the future.
And some additional call ups: Mattias Kait joins the full Estonian squad for their World Cup qualifiers. What excellent recognition for our 19 year old midfielder. Sheyi Ojo is now with the England U21 group for their European qualifiers away to Holland on Friday and at home to Latvia next Tuesday. While Marek Rodak is with Slovakia's U21s for the Euoro qualifying matches - away to Estonia then at home to Northern Ireland.. Mikolaj Kwietniewski goes with the Poland U19 team in a friendly game.
Mattias Kait played the full game as Estonia drew their World Cup qualifier 0-0 against Greece in Piraeus tonight. please log in to view this image
And on Friday night: Oliver Norwood played the full 90 as Northern Ireland left it late but ended up comfortably winning 3-0 in San Marino. Charlton Athletic’s Josh Magennis hit a five-minute brace in the latter stages of the game, before former Fulham midfielder Steven Davis made sure of the points from the penalty spot. The result leaves Northern Ireland second in Group C, seven points ahead of the Czech Republic, for whom Tomas Kalas played the entirety as they were unfortunate to go down to 2-1 to Germany in Prague. Timo Werner put the World Cup holders in front early on, only for Vladimir Darida to equalise from distance. Mats Hummels headed home in the 88th minute, though, which means the Czechs need to beat Northern Ireland on Monday to stand any chance of snatching second place. Norway are also in Group C, but their hopes of qualifying for Russia are effectively over, despite a 2-0 home win over Azerbaijan. Stefan Johansen captained the side as they secured a routine victory, with a Josh King penalty and Rashad Sadygov’s own goal doing the damage. On the other side of the world, Tim Ream couldn’t prevent the United States from slipping to a 2-0 defeat to Costa Rica. On his return to New York, Ream’s side were beaten by Marco Urena’s double, the first of which was assisted by ex-Whites playmaker Bryan Ruiz. It is a result which dents the States’ qualifying hopes, as they now only have eight points from seven matches. At Under-21 level, Marek Rodák was in goal as Slovakia claimed a 2-1 win in Estonia to ensure their European Championship qualifying campaign got off to an ideal start.
Fantastic. Mattias Kait got Estonia' s winner as they beat Cyprus 1-0 in their World Cup qualifying match earlier today.
Other youngsters who saw good wins: Tayo Edun played 70 minutes on Thursday as England U20s defeated the Netherlands 3-0. He got a nice assist for England’s second goal where he set up Stephy Mavididi before being substituted. Alti Andrason played on Saturday as Iceland U19s defeated Wales U19s 4-0. Less fortunate was: Mikolaj Kwietniewski who was part of a Poland U19s side that lost to England 7-1 on Friday afternoon at St George’s Park, all seven goals came in the first-half for England before the visitors grabbed a consolation goal early in the second-half.
Matt O'Riley was an used sub when England U18s drew 0-0 with Brazil last Friday. Tonight he started in the game against South Africa. please log in to view this image Unfortunately the team went down 2-1. Not sure whether Steven Sessegnon has had a problem since he didn't figure in the squad for either game.
It was the battle of the Fulham loanees on last night as Northern Ireland hosted the Czech Republic, with Oliver Norwood ending the evening a lot happier than Tomas Kalas. Both players featured for the full 90 minutes, with first half goals from West Bromwich Albion duo Jonny Evans and Chris Brunt earning the hosts a crucial 2-0 victory - Norwood claimed a headed assist for the opener. The win guarantees second place for Northern Ireland in Group C, meaning one of the eight available Play-Off spots is all but theirs. Defeat for the Czechs means they can now finish no higher than third, and their hopes of qualifying for the World Cup are over. At U21 level, Jon Dagur Thorsteinsson came on for the final quarter of an hour as Iceland’s European Championship qualifying campaign began with a 3-2 defeat by Albania in Reykjavik. Axel Andresson gave the hosts the lead in the 45th minute, but Kristal Abazaj ensured the sides went into the break level with a stoppage time effort. The Albanian forward then put his team in front 20 minutes into the second period, but Viktor Karl Einarsson restored parity, only for Fiorin Durmishaj to snatch a winner for the visitors. Tayo Edun, fresh from helping England U20s to victory over the Netherlands, played 75 minutes as they drew 0-0 in Switzerland, Atli Andraso was in the starting XI for Iceland U19s’ 1-0 friendly win in Wales.
Sheyi Ojo started for England U21s tonight. please log in to view this image They beat Latvia 3-0. Often have misgivings about the international break but since there's no choice, reckon it's good that Ojo has had game time.
The game was at Bournemouth's ground, and I was there. Ojo looked very good: a constant threat in the first half, always looking to take on his man. Worryingly, he went down injured after about half an hour - a stretcher was brought on, but then sent away unused. Ojo recovered and played until the 59th minute. He didn't look quite as potent in the second half (which was a shame, as we would have had a better view of him from our seats). I don't think the injury is anything to worry about (fingers crossed!)
Marek Rodák was in goal last night for Slovakia's U21s as they maintained their 100 per cent start to qualifying with a late 2-1 victory in Estonia. Defender Michal Sipl’ak put the visitors in front early on, but Markus Poom thought he’d earned a point when he found the net in the 83rd minute, only for his teammate Kaspar Mutso to score an own goal six minutes later. Slovakia sit top of Group 2 as a result, on the same points as second-place Northern Ireland having played a game less.
