Despite Republic of Ireland not being able to reach Euro 2024 through the normal qualification route, Matt Doherty ensured his country would take pride from their group stage game against Gibraltar by claiming a goal and assist.
Doherty was one of several Wolves players to be in action for his country over the last few days, with the defender getting his name on the scoresheet in a comfortable 4-0 win against the European minnows.
With some of Gary O’Neil’s men also in contention for an international appearance this evening, wolves.co.uk is on hand to round up all of yesterday’s games as well as look ahead to tonight’s games which could feature Old Gold players.
Matt Doherty | Gibraltar 0-4 Ireland
It took Doherty just eight minutes to make his mark for Ireland against Gibraltar on his country’s travels, with the right-back’s cross dispatched with ease by Brighton & Hove Albion’s Evan Ferguson dispatched to open the scoring. Doherty was involved again to help Michael Johnson add a second before the break when the Wolves man’s cross was turned in via the post, before the defender got on the scoresheet himself for his country’s third. On the hour mark, a corner was flicked into the six-yard box by Jamie McGrath and Doherty was in the right place to scoop down and head the ball in. It was a memorable night on the international stage for the full-back, although the result confirms Ireland will finish qualification Group B in fourth place with one game to play in November. Although Ireland could still make it to the Euros in Germany next summer through the play-offs – as long as results go in their favour.
Sasa Kalajdzic | Azerbaijan 0-1 Austria
With Austria’s place at next summer’s Euros all-but secured, Kalajdzic was there to give his country the helping nudge they needed to get over the line as one of the best two teams from qualification Group F, as the striker played a key role in a 1-0 win over Azerbaijan which meant they could not be caught by third-place Sweden. Playing the opening 82 minutes out in Baku, the Wolves forward led the line expertly for his country to earn his 16th international cap, in a game which saw Marcel Sabitzer score the only goal of the game from the penalty spot. Although he wasn’t able to mark it with a goa of his own, Kalajdzic will be pleased to have secured Austria’s place in Euro 2024 with one game remaining in November, as they travel to Estonia to round out the group stages.
Pedro Neto, Jose Sa, Nelson Semedo, Toti | Bosnia & Herzegovina 0-5 Portugal
Despite Portugal already securing their place at the Euros, Wolves’ duo of Sa and Toti still await a first senior cap after remaining on the bench for their country’s dominant qualification display against Bosnia and Herzegovina on Monday night. Although club teammate Semedo also didn’t feature in the 5-0 thrashing, winger Neto did, coming on just after the hour mark alongside former Old Gold man Diogo Jota. By that time Portugal were already five goals to the good following Cristiano Ronaldo’s brace and finishes from Bruno Fernandes, Joao Cancelo and Joao Felix. Portugal have a 100 per cent record in qualifying and with two more games to play in November, maybe Roberto Martinez will then turn to the Wolves men who have yet to make their senior debuts.
Elsewhere
Another Wolves player whose long-awaited international debut won’t be coming until November at the earliest is Tom King, with the goalkeeper an unused substitute in Wales’ crucial 2-1 qualification Group D win over Croatia. The win puts Wales into second place in qualifying with matches against group leaders Turkiye as well as Armenia to come next month. However, young Wolves defender Dexter Lembikisa, who is currently on loan at Rotherham, played the whole 90 minutes of Jamaica’s 3-2 win over Haiti, which leaves them in pole position in CONCACAF Nations League A, Group B.
Coming up…
Hee Chan Hwang is in from the start once again this afternoon as South Korea take on Vietnam in an international friendly at 12pm, while Boubacar Traore will be hoping to get more minutes for Mali as they take on Saudi Arabia in non-competitive action from 4pm. Fabio Silva will be hoping to be back among the goals for Portugal under-21s as they face Greece at 7pm
Wolves’ South American contingent are hoping to be back on the pitch in the early hours of Wednesday morning as they take part in World Cup qualification. Matheus Cunha and Santiago Bueno go head-to-head with Brazil taking on Uruguay in Montevideo from 1am, while Yerson Mosquera – currently on loan at FC Cincinnati – could earn his second cap versus Ecuador away at 12.30am.
