Internationals: Walcott and Eduardo in action - [ Wednesday, October 17, 2007]
Arsenal.com's International Watch reports back to base on those who have temporarily swapped the red of Arsenal for the colours of their national sides. Read on for the latest news on how they all got on...
Theo Walcott
England Under-21 1-0 Montenegro Under-21, October 12, Republic of Ireland Under-21 0-3 England Under-21, October 16
Theo Walcott played for 90 minutes as England Under-21s eased past the Republic of Ireland in Cork on Tuesday. Two goals from Mark Noble and a deflected James Milner drive sealed the victory for Stuart Pearce’s team inside 26 minutes. The youngster also played throughout the 1-0 win against Montenegro on Friday.
Eduardo
Croatia 1-0 Israel, October 13, Croatia 3-0 Slovakia, Oct 16
Eduardo played in his country’s friendly win against Slovakia on Tuesday. A brace from Ivica Olic and a further strike from Ognjen Vukojevic sealed a 3-0 win for Croatia. Olic nabbed his first on the stroke of half-time after Eduardo had seen his shot parried. Debutant Vukojevic added to the tally three minutes after the break before the scoring was completed by Olic on 69 minutes. He had, earlier in the week, scored in Croatia's 1-0 win over Israel.
Emmanuel Adebayor
Togo 0-2 Mali, October 12
Emmanuel Adebayor’s hopes of qualifying for January’s African Cup of Nations were dashed on Friday. Sevilla striker Freddi Kanoute and Mamadou Diallo scored in either half for Mali as they ran out 2-0 winners in Lome. The result is good news for Arsenal fans as it means Adebayor will not miss a large chunk of early 2008 as expected.
Cesc Fabregas
Denmark 1-3 Spain, October 13, Finland v Spain, October 17
Cesc Fabregas played for 78 minutes as Spain recorded an impressive 3-1 win away to Denmark. The youngster was instrumental in his team’s 2-0 half-time lead and was unlucky not to score himself three minutes before the interval — his effort finding the crossbar via the glove of Tomas Sorenson. Goals from Tamudo, Sergio Ramos and Albert Riera means Spain move level on points with Sweden at the top of Group F having played a game more.
Nicklas Bendtner
Denmark 1-3 Spain, October 13, Denmark v Latvia, Ocotber 17
Nicklas Bendtner played for the entire second half as Denmark were beaten 3-1 by Spain in Copenhagen. Goals from Tamudo and Sergio Ramos gave the Spaniards a solid cushion at the interval before Jon Dahl Tommason pulled one back three minutes from time. Albert Riera completed the scoring with a debut goal shortly before the end. The Danes had fought gamely after the restart and Bendtner was twice denied as they searched for a breakthrough. The tall striker was first prevented from scoring by a reaction save from Iker Casillias and then saw a long-range drive canon back off the post. Denmark are now six poimts adrift of Group F leaders Sweden with three games to play.
Alex Hleb
Belarus 0-1 Luxemburg, October 13, Israel v Berlarus, October 17
Alex Hleb was once again his country’s outstanding player but was unable to prevent a 95th-minute winner for Luxembourg in Gomel on Saturday. Hleb’s Belarus were already too far adrift in Group G to qualify, but Fons Lewek’s goal inflicted their seventh defeat of this campaign and leaves them just four points off the bottom of the table. The win was Luxembourg’s first in competitive football in 15 years.
Tomas Rosicky
Germany v Czech Republic, October 17
Tomas Rosicky has been selected in the Czech Republic squad to play in Germany on October 17.
Jens Lehmann
Republic of Ireland 0-0 Germany, October 13, Germany v Czech Republic, October 17
Jens Lehmann returned to football for the first time in a month on Saturday and produced a sterling display to shut out a vibrant Republic of Ireland side. The goalless draw ensures Germany are the first team to qualify for the Finals alongside hosts Austria and Switzerland, and means the Republic face an uphill battle in order to achieve a similar fate from Group D.
William Gallas, Bacary Sagna, Lasanna Diarra
Faroe Islands 0-6 France, October 13, France v Lithuania, October 17
Bacary Sagna was the only Arsenal man to start for France as they cruised to a 6-0 win in the Faroe Islands. Nicholas Anelka, Thierry Henry, Karim Benzema (2), Jerome Rotten and Hetem Ben Arfa scored for Les Bleus in a one-sided affair. Henry’s goal was his 41st for his country and puts him level with Michel Platini in the list of all-time record scorers. Lasanna Diarra replaced Claude Makelele with less than 20 minutes remaining, while William Gallas remained on the bench.
Philippe Senderos
Switzerland 3-1 Austria, October 13, Switzerland v USA, October 17
Philippe Senderos was replaced at half-time but was able to watch his team record a 3-1 win over Euro 2008 hosts Austria. A Marcos Streller strike in the second minute was cancelled out nine minutes later by Rene Aufhauser, but Hakan Yakin restored the lead before the break. Streller completed the scoring with his second on 55 minutes to avenge the defeat in the reverse fixture one year ago. Arsenal loanee Johan Djourou played for 90 minutes.
Kolo Toure, Emmanuel Eboue
Austria v Ivory Coast October 17
Ivory Coast have called upon defenders Kolo Toure and Emmanuel Eboue to play in their fixture with Austria on October 17.
Lukasz Fabianski
Poland 3-1 Kazakhstan, October 13, Poland v Hungary, October 17
Lukasz Fabianski was an unused substitute for Poland as they won 3-1 against Kazakhstan in Warsaw. A 10-minute hat-trick from Euzebiusz Smolarek early in the second half secured all three points and ensures Poland stay top of Group A.
Gilberto
Columbia 0-0 Brazil, October 14, Brazil v Ecuador, October 17
Gilberto played for 90 minutes as Brazil faltered in their opening fixture of the qualifying campaign for the 2010 World Cup. The 0-0 draw in Colombia was tame by the high standards set by the Brazilians in recent years, with a whole host of flair players failing to assert themselves on the game.
Robin van Persie
Romania 1-0 Holland, October 13, Holland v Slovenia, October 17
Robin van Persie did not feature for the Netherlands as they were beaten 1-0 in Romania on Saturday. A goal in the 71st minute from Steaua Bucharest defender Dorin Goian was enough to put Romania on top of Group G, three points clear of Holland, with both sides having three more fixtures. |