Marcus Bettinelli has been called up for the England U21 squad for the friendlies against Portugal and France. Source: http://www.sportsmole.co.uk/footbal...i-called-up-to-england-u-21-squad_186828.html And George Williams is in the full Welsh squad for their Euro qualifier against Belgium on 16th November. Also on board for Wales is Kit Symons. "There was speculation that the Wales assistant manager would be giving up his international commitments to focus on his Club's but Chris Coleman confirmed that he will fly out with the squad."
That's wrong... He is not at that level that he can manage two roles. His focus should be sorting out our defence which is leaking left, right and centre!
Is Bettinelli not too old to play under 21s? He's 22. Agree that Symons shouldn't be going with Wales. It was forgiveable while he was in the Caretaker role but not now.
Kit before his appointment was made permanent, voiced his commitment and bond with Fulham, he was the fans choice which can be seen when he walks onto the pitch. he should now confirm his commitment by giving 100% to the club. As FFC Madness said his time should be spent on sorting out our defence, not going on jollies with the Walsh team.
"Greece coach, Claudio Ranieri has dropped Kostas Mitroglou for a European Championship home qualifier against the Faeroe Islands next Friday and a friendly against Serbia four days later." Source: http://www.kansas.com/sports/article3616391.html#storylink=cpy
Confirmation of the players off over the International break Country First Team Squad Nikolay Bodurov – Bulgaria (European Championship Qualifier) Mananga Jonathan Buautu – Angola (Africa Cup of Nations Qualifiers) Gabor Kiraly – Hungary (European Championship Qualifier, and a Friendly) Bryan Ruiz – Costa Rica (Friendly) George Williams – Wales (European Championship Qualifier) Elsad Zverotić – Montenegro (European Championship Qualifier) Country U21s Squad Marcus Bettinelli – England (Friendlies) Lasse Vigen Christensen – Denmark (Friendlies) Marcello Trotta – Italy (Friendly) Cauley Woodrow – England (Friendlies) Country U20s Squad Emerson Hyndman – United States (Friendlies) Country U19s Squad Noe Baba – Republic of Ireland (UEFA Qualifiers) Patrick Roberts – England (Friendly) Marek Rodák – Slovakia (UEFA Qualifiers) Country U17s Squad Luca De La Torre – United States (Friendlies) Tayo Edun – England (Friendlies)
Marek Rodak was the first of our stars on duty as Slovakia kicked off their Qualifying Round for the UEFA Under-19 Championship with a priceless 2-1 win over Slovenia yesterday. please log in to view this image Our man made a crucial save in the 90th minute to deny Ožbolt a second equaliser of the day and with Azerbaijan and Hungary drawing 1-1 in the Groupâs other fixture, Slovakia top the Group.
Red for Hyndman ! "There were mixed emotions for Emerson Hyndman on Wednesday as the United States Under-20s defeated Russia Under-21s 4-3, with the Fulham midfielder sent off late on. In what was the opening game of the 2014 Marbella U21 International National Teams Football Tournament, Russia went ahead through Vyacheslav Karavayev’s 13th minute effort but were pegged back shortly after when Romain Gall netted the rebound after Joel Soñora had seen his shot saved. Andrija Novakovich put the States in front on the stroke of half-time with a floated shot into the top corner, but Russia were level 10 minutes after the restart through Aleksandr Morgunov’s goal. Hyndman – who had started the game – then picked up his first booking of the afternoon, before the Europeans retook the lead courtesy of an Arshak Koryan strike on 71 minutes, with the young Russian following up after his initial penalty had been saved. The States were awarded a penalty of their own six minutes later though which was duly converted by substitute Dembakwi Yomba to make it 3-3. Fulham midfielder Hyndman was then shown a second yellow card on 83 minutes, but the man disadvantage didn’t hinder his side, who won the game two minutes into stoppage time courtesy of Gall’s second goal of the game. America are next in action against the Republic of Ireland on Saturday, before taking on Canada on Tuesday. At Under-19 level, Marek Rodák and Slovakia guaranteed top spot in Group 4 of their UEFA Championship Qualifying Round with a 4-1 victory over Azerbaijan. After midfielder Filip Lesniak had put Slovakia in front just before half-time, Azerbaijan drew level from the penalty spot five minutes after the restart as Budag Nasirov beat Rodák from 12 yards. They were level for just two minutes, though, as Juventus midfielder and Slovakia captain Jakub Hromada converted a penalty of his own. Tomáš Vestenický and Miroslav Káčer then added some gloss to the scoreline as Slovakia confirmed their place in the Elite Round of qualifying"
"Bryan Ruiz and Costa Rica won 7-6 on penalties after a 3-3 friendly draw against Uruguay yesterday. Luis Suarez scored early in the second half after Alvaro Saborio's strike had given the visitors a half-time lead. Bryan then restored Costa Rica's advantage within 60 seconds of Suarez's equaliser with a curling effort, but two goals in three minutes from Jose Gimenez and Edinson Cavani put Uruguay on course for victory. That lead held until the 91st minute when Venegas equalised for the visitors and took the game to penalties. Suarez scored the first spot-kick to give Uruguay the lead in the shootout, but Celso Borges missed for Costa Rica. Ruiz found the target with Costa Rica’s second penalty and his country eventually went on to win 7-6. Noe Baba was named captain as the Republic of Ireland’s Under-19 side began their UEFA U19 Championships qualifying campaign with a 1-0 victory over Malta at a rain-soaked RSC in Waterford. Eoghan Stokes’ 17th-minute opener earned Ireland the victory. Ireland will meet Gibraltar in their second game on Saturday at Ferrycarrig Park in Wexford. Cauley Woodrow and Marcus Bettinelli were unused substitutes as England Under-21s beat Portugal 3-1 at Turf Moor. Gareth Southgate’s side face France on Monday."
Slightly 'Off the Beat' please log in to view this image Zoltan Gera got the winner in Hungary’s 1-0 win over Finland tonight (which of course means that Gabor Kiraly had a clean sheet!) And Chris Baird turned out for NI but unfortunately they went down 2-0 to Romania.
Plenty of the lads got game time at the weekend. Gabor Kiraly we already know about – here is the round-up of the rest from the Club: ”Lasse Vigen Christensen played 70 minutes of Denmark Under-21s’ 2-2 friendly draw with the Czech Republic in Prague. Jens Joensson put Denmark in front with just two minutes played but Vaclav Kadlec levelled things up a quarter of an hour later. The visitors went into half-time in front, though, courtesy of a Jeppe Andersen strike – a goal which looked to have won the game until Laco Takacs popped up in the 89th minute to equalise. Back in the UK, Patrick Roberts played just over an hour of England Under-19s’ impressive 3-0 victory against Italy at Rotherham United’s New York Stadium. Chelsea’s Izzy Brown scored twice inside the opening 20 minutes to put the Young Lions in good stead; the first he lashed in after club teammate Ruben Loftus-Cheek had seen his header saved, the second a sublime curling effort from the edge of the box. Loftus-Cheek then wrapped things up with a composed left-footed finish after being played in by Brown on 64 minutes. Australia Under-23s kicked off their Four-Nation International Friendly tournament in Wuhan, China, with a 2-2 draw against Brazil. Cameron Burgess was involved from the off, and the Olyroos went in front on 21 when former Fulham striker Corey Gameiro netted, although the South Americans turned the game on its head with strikes just before half-time and in the 66th minute. But a foul on Gameiro in the penalty area on 90 minutes saw Brazil reduced to 10 men and allowed Borussia Dortumund’s Mustafa Amini to dispatch the equaliser from 12 yards. The following day, Elsad Zverotić played 90 minutes as Montenegro played out a 1-1 home draw with Sweden in Group G of Euro qualifying. The visitors went in front with just nine minutes played courtesy of a Zlatan Ibrahimovic goal. Montenegro’s biggest threats were arriving from Zverotić’s set-pieces, with the Fulham man’s corners creating chances for Stevan Jovetić and Marko Baša which were saved, and Stefan Savic who headed against the bar. But they eventually secured the point their play deserved, when Jovetić scored from the penalty spot with 10 minutes remaining after Vladimir Jovović had been fouled. The result leaves Montenegro level with Russia after their defeat in Austria, a point behind Sweden – for whom Alexander Kačaniklić was an unused substitute. Angola’s hopes of reaching the Africa Cup of Nations hang by a thread after they were held to a goalless draw at home by Gabon. Mananga Jonathan Buatu was involved from kick-off and helped his side to a clean sheet, but they really needed to win to stand a good chance of qualifying for the Finals. With Gabon and Burkina Faso now confirmed as the top two in Group C, Angola’s only hope is that they end up being the best third-placed team. They’ll need to beat Burkina Faso on Wednesday and hope plenty of results in other groups go their way for that to be a likely scenario. Noe Baba captained the Republic of Ireland Under-19s to the 4-1 win over Gibraltar which ensured their progression to the Elite Round of qualifying for the UEFA U19 Championship. Goals from Reece Grego-Cox and Eoghan Stokes had put Ireland in control of the game, although Gibraltar did pull one back through Jayce Consigliero on 37 minutes. The two-goal lead was restored shortly before half-time, though, with Baba the architect as his cross was turned into his own net by Gibraltar defender Ethan Jolley. Stokes got his second goal in the second half to make it 4-1 – a result which, combined with Switzerland’s win over Malta, earned them progression with a game left to play. Elsewhere in the competition, Slovakia had already qualified and so Marek Rodák was rested for the 3-0 win against Hungary which maintained their 100 per cent record in Group 4. Emerson Hyndman played 90 minutes in Marbella {not sure why since he was red carded in the last game} as the US Under-20s defeated the Republic of Ireland Under-21s 1-0 in their second match of the International National Teams Football Tournament. Dembakwi Yomba scored the only goal of the game on 13 minutes when he intercepted a weak backpass before burying his finish, although the States did rely on several good saves by goalkeeper Santiago Castaño to preserve their lead. On Sunday, George Williams came on as a half-time substitute as Wales secured an impressive 0-0 draw away at Belgium in their European Championship Qualifier. In the first half, Tottenham Hotspur winger Nacer Chadli was denied by Crystal Palace stopper Wayne Hennessey, and Nicolas Lombaerts hit a post, but Wales had chances of their own after the interval. Gareth Bale – who had seen a free-kick saved earlier on – fired wide at the end of a mazy run, before Hal Robson-Kanu was denied by Chelsea’s Thibaut Courtois. Williams was then involved in a nasty clash of heads with Dries Mertens. The Belgian attacker had to be stretchered from the field of play and Williams, despite the accidental nature of the incident, was booked for his part in it. Aston Villa’s Christian Benteke almost won it for the home side in stoppage time, but Bale was on hand to clear his header off the line to preserve the Dragons’ unbeaten record in Group B – although they now sit second following Israel’s 3-0 win over Bosnia-Herzegovina. Bulgaria’s qualifying hopes took a hit when they were held to a 1-1 draw at home by Malta in Group H, with Nikolay Bodurov playing the full 90. Andrej Galabinov had given Bulgaria an early lead and the same man went close to doubling the advantage 26 minutes in when his shot rattled the crossbar. Malta were level four minutes after half-time, though, when Clayton Failla converted a penalty after Paul Fenech had been brought down by Bulgaria skipper Ivelin Popov. Popov could have made amends but the ball just would not go in for him as he saw his header hit the woodwork, before blazing over a penalty on 76 minutes that was awarded for a foul on Ilian Micanski. Bulgaria now sit six points behind Croatia and Italy who currently occupy the top two spots. On the same day, Australia Under-23s played their second game in China but went down to a 3-1 defeat by the host nation. Cameron Burgess was involved again from the start, and his side were one down after 11 minutes when Xie Pengfei netted. Australia hit back quickly and were level when Travis Cooper headed in, but two second-half goals earned China the victory."
Latest from the Club - "Lasse Vigen Christensen claimed the bragging rights over [/B]Marcello Trotta[/B] on Monday evening as Denmark Under-21s defeated Italy 1-0 in Matera. Both sides have qualified for next summer’s European Championship and the friendly was played at a packed Stadio XXI Settembre in the south of Italy, with the in-form Christensen involved from the off. The first half was an even affair, although one with minimal openings. Youssef Toutouh’s strike lacked conviction for the visitors, while Andrea Belotti, Domenico Berardi and Samuele Longo squandered the best chances for the Azzurrini. Christensen was withdrawn at half-time and Italy began the second period with real conviction as Longo forced a save from Danish goalkeeper Jakob Busk. Trotta entered the action as a 58th-minute substitute and he went close to breaking the deadlock when his snapshot was brilliantly kept out by Busk’s fingertips. Denmark eventually made the breakthrough on 82 minutes when they capitalised on some sloppy play by the hosts which allowed Nicolai Brock-Madsen to burst through and score with a low shot into the corner. Trotta – currently out on loan at Barnsley – had a half chance to equalise in stoppage time but his acrobatic attempt was deflected over. Elsewhere at Under-21 level, Cauley Woodrow was an unused substitute as England let a two-goal lead slip as they went down 3-2 in France. Tottenham Hotspur’s Harry Kane grabbed a brace to seemingly put the Young Lions in control of the friendly, but Yaya Sanogo of Arsenal notched two of his own before Juventus’ Kingsley Coman completed the turnaround."
Red for Noe Baba. "Noe Baba was sent off for two bookable offences as the Republic of Ireland Under-19s rounded off their UEFA U19 Championship Qualifying Round with a 1-1 draw against Switzerland. The Swiss took the lead with less than a minute played when Aldin Turkes capitalised on some hesitancy in the Ireland defence to break free and score. Baba picked up his first yellow card on 28 minutes, and his side were unlucky not to draw level soon after when Ryan Manning hit the crossbar with a fine volley, before Fiacre Kelleher saw his header cleared off the line. It took just three minutes after the restart, though, for the Republic to find the equaliser when Reece Grego-Cox headed in from a Manning corner. They were down to 10 men not long after when Captain Baba was given his marching orders for a foul on Kilian Pagliuca, but they defended well despite his absence and held on for a point to ensure they finished Group 6 with an unbeaten record – level on points with Switzerland who topped the standings courtesy of a superior goal difference. Both nations will now advance into the Elite Round phase of qualifying."
"Angola missed out on a place at the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations on Wednesday. Their only hope was of being the best third placed team in qualifying, but their 1-1 draw with Burkina Faso left them on six points, with the Democratic Republic of Congo’s nine points won in Group D enough to see them nab the final spot. Mananga Jonathan Buatu started the game in Burkina Faso and the visitors took the lead just before the half hour mark when Djalma converted a penalty. But Burkina Faso drew level with a spot kick of their own in first half stoppage time, with Jonathan Pitroipa – a man who played at Craven Cottage for Hamburg in 2010 – netting from 12 yards. Angola may find the slightest consolation in the fact that victory on Wednesday still would not have been enough to see them qualify for next year’s competition."
