Toon stars are ready to take on the World...
BUT YEDLIN LEFT IN A WORLD OF PAIN AS USA FLOP
IT was a week to remember for Aleksandar Mitrovic, Rob Elliot and Ciaran Clark, while it was a week to forget for DeAndre Yedlin, as a number of Newcastle players starred for their countries over the past week.
A total of eight Magpies players were on international duty as they looked to help their sides qualify for major international competition.
Mitrovic helped Serbia to qualify for the World Cup, while Elliot and Clark helped secure the Republic of Ireland a play-off spot.
Mikel Merino and Chancel Mbemba were in fine form for their sides, but despite earning praise from pundits, it was a dark week for Yedlin’s USA as they incredibly failed to qualify for next summer’s World Cup.
Here is a full round-up of how the Magpies’ international stars fared this week: MITROVIC became the first United player to confirm his involvement in the World Cup, after Serbia’s 1-0 win over Georgia secured top spot in Group D of the European qualifiers.
The 23-year-old played the full 90 minutes on Friday as Serbia were beaten 3-2 in Austria, meaning they faced a nervy final game to secure their finals spot.
Georgia remained resolute and tough to break down, but Serbia finally found the breakthrough on 74 minutes, as Mitrovic’s whipped cross was met by Aleksandar Prijovic who guided the ball home to take Serbia through to their first World Cup since 2010.
Although he didn’t find the net this week, Mitrovic’s contribution to their qualification has been paramount, as he netted six goals throughout the campaign. THE United pair gave themselves a chance of joining Mitrovic at the World Cup, as they finished second in the same group, to win through to the play-offs.
ALEKSANDAR MITROVIC (SERBIA) CIARAN CLARK AND ROB ELLIOT (REPUBLIC OF IRELAND)
DEANDRE YEDLIN (USA) CHANCEL MBEMBA (DR CONGO) MIKEL MERINO (SPAINU21) MATZ SELS (BELGIUM) FREDDIE WOODMAN (ENGLAND U21)
The Republic of Ireland knew they had to win both games to give themselves a realistic chance of qualification, and they made the perfect start by beating Moldova 2-0, thanks to a brace from ex-Newcastle forward Daryl Murphy.
This set up a ‘winner takes all showdown’ with Wales, and a second half strike from James McClean secured an historic victory in Cardiff. They now await next Tuesday’s play-off draw, where they will face one of Switzerland, Italy, Denmark or Croatia over two legs for a place in the World Cup.
Clark played the duration of both games, while Elliot remained an unused substitute. ON the flip-side, it was heartbreak for the Magpies full-back as Yedlin’s USA amazingly failed to qualify for the World Cup. The States had put themselves in a commanding position after Friday’s 4-0 win over Panama. Yedlin earned praise for his defensive work in that game, with ESPN commentator Ian Darke tweeting: “Yedlin’s excellent USA display was testament to the tactical discipline he is learning under Rafa Benitez at Newcastle.” They were on course to qualify from the CONCACAF group in third place but a devastating 2-1 defeat against Trinidad and Tobago, coupled with shock wins for Panama and Honduras, meant they missed out on World Cup qualification.
It will be the first World Cup since 1986 which won’t include the USA. MBEMBA played the full 90 minutes in central midfield as DR Congo kept their World Cup hopes alive with a 2-1 win over Libya.
It leaves the Leopards three points adrift of Tunisia in Group A of African qualifying with one game remaining.
DR Congo face Guinea at home and must win and hope Libya earn a shock win at Tunisia, to win through via goal difference. MERINO opened the scoring for Spain’s under-21 side as they beat Slovakia 4-1 away from home. It leaves his side second in Group B of Euro Under-21 qualifying, three points behind Northern Ireland, but with two games in hand. SELS was an unused substitute as Belgium rounded off their World Cup qualifying campaign with a 4-3 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina and a 4-0 win over Cyprus. WOODMAN was an unused substitute as England u21 secured a 3-1 win over Scotland, followed by a 1-0 win over Andorra.
The wins leave them four points clear at the top of Group D of Euro Under-21 qualifying.