Midweek International Roundup
A roundup of news about Bolton Wanderers players who have been on international duty this week.
South Korea 2 – 0 Senegal
Bolton’s Lee Chong–yong assisted Ki Sung-yong in getting on the score sheet in the friendly against Senegal in Seoul. Celtic’s Sung–yong took South Korea ahead with a shot from 20 metres a few minutes before half–time. Oh Beom-seok scored the second goal in the 80th minute.
South Korea have already qualified for the 2010 World Cup and this friendly extends their unbeaten record to 26 games.
Australia 1 – 0 Oman
Oman failed to continue with their unbeaten qualification campaign for the 2011 Asian Cup. The Socceroos went ahead in the 75th courtesy of Everton’s Tim Cahill to give Australia their first win in the qualifying rounds of the Asian Cup.
Apart from the single goal Bolton’s Ali Al–Habsi and his defence fought well to put a stop to the Soccoroos’ advances and Oman ruled the first half which led to Oman’s coach, Claude Le Roy, to comment:
“I’m very disappointed, but this team of Oman, we know we aren’t the best team in the world, but this team has a fantastic spirit, with very loyal people.”
Oman and Australia meet again next month at the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex on Muscat, Oman. It may be a crucial game as both teams are on 4 points in Group B of the Asian Cup qualification the finals of which are to be held in Qatar in 2011.
Kazakhstan 1 – 2 Croatia
BWFC’s Ivan Klasnic came close to scoring at least three times before he was substituted after 75 minutes. One shot just over the bar, one that tested Kazakhstan’s goalkeeper, Mokin and one that tested the strength of the crossbar. Despite their win Croatia needed Andorra to beat Ukraine to qualify for the 2010 World Cup via the play–offs — a tall order indeed. Sadly Andorra were unable to do Croatia a huge favour and were beaten 6–0 by Ukraine.
Germany 1 – 1 Finland
Bolton’s first choice goalkeeper, Jussi Jaaskelainen was obviously angered by Germany’s late equaliser. Finland did well to be winning early in the match but the 90th minute equaliser spoiled what could have been an consolatory win for Finland who already knew that they had no chance of World Cup qualification.
Jussi Jaaskelainen vents anger at Referee.
Switzerland 0 – 0 Israel
Tamir Cohen took part in Israel’s final qualification match. Israel went down to 10 men after an hour but still managed to hang on for a scoreless draw. Even if Israel had won their hopes of reaching their first World Cup finals would have been dashed by Greece who narrowly beat Luxembourg 2–1.
Sweden 4 – 1 Albania
Johan Elmander was substituted after just 35 minutes of play which suggests that he has picked up another injury. Despite their convincing win Sweden failed to qualify for next year’s World Cup in South Africa.
England 3 – 0 Belarus
Bolton’s Gary Cahill wasn’t used again. Enough said!
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