Quintet make mark on international scene
FIVE CATS CLAIM REP HONOURS
THE women’s international break was a busy one for five Sunderland Women players who represented their respective countries.
First up was Katie Kitching as she helped the New Zealand Ferns qualify for the Paris 2024 Olympics after winning the Oceania Football Confederation Olympic Qualifying Tournament.
Kitching played 90 minutes in the Ferns’ 6-0 win over Samoa before playing 45 minutes against Vanuatu to win the group.
The Sunderland number 10 scored her first two goals in international colours in the final against the Solomon Islands as they won 11-1 to secure Olympic qualification.
Liz Ejupi netted the only goal in Kosovo’s 1-0 victory over Hong Kong in the Turkish Cup friendly tournament, with the Black Cats striker scoring again against Estonia as Kosovo won 3-0.
The Sunderland number 37 came on as a substitute in the final game to help the side to a 1-0 victory over India as Kosovo won all three games.
Another Sunderland star, Katy Watson represented the England U19 squad, starting the first game as they were defeated 3-2 by France in a friendly. The young striker then came off the bench as the Lionesses drew 2-2 with Norway.
Niamh Boothroyd scored her first goal for Northern Ireland U17 – a wonderful long-range strike into the top corner from the left wing – as they won 5-1 over Malta in the Euro U17 qualification group stage game.
The Lasses academy star then scored in the following fixture to help her side to a 4-1 victory over Luxembourg.
Mary McAteer joined up with Wales’ senior team and was in the matchday squad as they won 2-0 over the Republic of Ireland in a friendly.
Meanwhile, Sunderland U21s (men) are set to return to league action tomorrow night as Brighton are the visitors at Eppleton in the Premier League 2 (7pm).
Brighton currently sit eighth in the league table having won seven, drawn two and lost five from 14.
They are three places and three points above the Black Cats.
The Seagulls have just two wins from their last six league fixtures.
The U21 side is led by Shannon Ruth who oversees both professional and goalkeeping development.
Graeme Murty’s Sunderland outfit are 11th and have the opportunity to climb up to 7th with a win.Tottenham Hotspur are the current league leaders with 11 wins and one draw from 12 games.
Manchester City sit bottom with just one win from 14.