The interval has ended! Eight players from Ipswich Town represented their nations in October; during the two-week break, each player received a cap.
Here’s what they’ve been up to during the past two weeks, from critical qualifications and sickening injuries to Wembley appearances and prize victories.
Wes Burns and Nathan Broadhead might compete at the European Championships in 2019 Photograph: PA Images
Wales’s Nathan Broadhead and Wes Burns
Nathan Broadhead and Wes Burns were both called up for Wales’ matches against Gibraltar and Croatia, as was to be expected. The two’s luck was wildly inconsistent.
At Wrexham’s Racecourse Ground, both players got off to an early start against Gibraltar. However, Burns was substituted off due to a shoulder injury, which he sustained after he challenged Ethan Britto for the ball. After that, he was returned to Ipswich to be evaluated in front of Friday’s trip to Rotherham United.
On the other hand, Broadhead assisted Ben Davies with his first goal before netting the game’s third goal in the 35th minute by cutting inside and sending a strong shot into the roof of the net.
Despite not being able to get a spot in the starting eleven for Wales’ crucial EURO 2024 qualifying match against Croatia, Harry Wilson of Fulham scored twice to help his team win 2-1. This was his second senior international goal.
After Mario Pasalic’s goal in the last ten minutes, Broadhead entered the game and helped Rob Page’s team, who are currently second in their qualifying group based on head-to-head, seal a vital victory.
During the upcoming international break, the Dragons will play matches against Armenia and Turkey, aware that they must match Croatia’s performance to advance to the championship the following summer.
For the first time, Massimo Luongo and Cameron Burgess were included in the same international team (Image: PA Images)
Australia’s Massimo Luongo and Cameron Burgess
When the Socceroos played England in a friendly at Wembley, with Cameron Burgess rejoining the Australian team and Massimo Luongo being summoned back for the first time since 2019, all eyes were on the stadium.
While Burgess participated in the whole 90-minute game, Luongo was not deployed as a substitute. Graham Arnold’s team controlled the majority of the first half, but Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa’s goal in the second half gave the Three Lions the lead and the victory.
But Luongo got his chance against New Zealand, coming back into the Brentford Gtech Community Stadium starting lineup. In his 65 minutes on the pitch, he contributed to his team’s 2-0 victory and the first-ever return of the Soccer Ashes Trophy in over 60 years.
Both players will be aiming to participate in the World Cup qualifiers against Palestine and Bangladesh next month, though it’s still unclear if the latter match will ever happen. Following that, focus will shift to the January and February Asian Cup of the following year.
Next month, Dane Scarlett hopes to rejoin the England under-21 squad (Image: PA).
The England Elite League squad’s Dane Scarlett (Young Adults)
It was unexpected to see Dane Scarlett included in Joe Edwards’ Elite League squad, formerly known as the under-20’s, since he had advanced to England’s under-21 team last month.
The Tottenham Hotspur loanee started both contests, but his team lost both 2-1 at Stadium MK to Portugal and 2-0 in Bucharest to Romania.
In the EURO U21 qualifiers, Cieran Slicker is still awaiting his first clean sheet. (Photo: PA)
Cieran Slicker, member of Scotland U-21
Scotland’s under-21 team recovered from their loss to Spain in EURO U21 qualification last month thanks in part to Cieran Slicker.
The men of Scot Gemmill won both of their games at Fir Park in Motherwell, defeating Malta 2-1 and Hungary 3-1.
Playing all ninety minutes in both matches, Slicker’s team is currently third in their group behind Belgium and Spain, with a crucial match against the latter scheduled for the November international break.Elkan Baggott’s Indonesia is still hoping to qualify for the World Cup in 2026 (photo courtesy of Ross Halls).
Baggott Elkan – Indonesia
In a two-leg match against Brunei, Elkan Baggott’s Indonesia was playing for a spot in the next round of World Cup qualification.
The youthful Town defender earned his 17th cap and kept a clean sheet as his team easily won 6-0 when he was started in the starting lineup for the opening match in Jakarta.
He did not play in the second game in Bandar Seri Begawan due to injury, but Shin Tae-yong’s team managed to match the score, winning 12-0 overall.
Saint Lucian Janoi Donacien
When Saint Lucia played Guadeloupe in the CONCACAF Nations League in Saint-Anne, Janoi Donacien was added as a late substitute.
Alongside fellow EFL defender Terell Thomas, who plays for League One team Charlton Athletic, he started the game, but neither player was able to save their team’s 2-0 loss, which eliminated them from first place in their group on goal differential.
If they hope to advance to the next stage of the competition, they must recover with victories against St. Kitts and Nevis and Sint Maarten the following month.
