Thursday 3 September 2015

Internationals will be a test for some AFCB players

I was looking down the fixtures for the internationals over the next few days and wondering AFCB player had the hardest task. It isn't an easy call as most of those that have been called up have one match where they are not probably in the favourite team, but there's plenty of football for us to watch even if we might want to have a couple of TVs and computers running at the same time! 

I suppose Shaun MacDonald is not expecting to get on the pitch for Wales unless Aaron Ramsey or Joe Ledley pick up an injury. But I do believe Wales have the toughest matches of this batch of internationals and Euro 2016 qualifiers with an away tie against Cyprus tonight and a home match against Israel on Sunday afternoon. It will be a magical time for wales if they can secure qualification with these games for a major tournament and Shaun will be hoping he get some minutes and I'm sure he'll play a part in encouraging other to perform well.

There'll be a lot of pressure on Josh King as well in the Group H Euro 2016 qualifies as Norway are only in third place behind Italy and Croatia. They failed to beat Azerbaijan in their last outing and that caused Norway to lose ground in the group. Josh got 79 minutes in that match and should be a name on the starting sheet for the Bulgarian match tonight. A harder game will be the Croatian fixture in Norway on Saturday afternoon.

Tokelo Rantie is also likely to be involved today in South Africa's Cup of Nations match against Mauritania at 20.00hr. It could be a great chance for him to bag a few goals.
Artur Boruc is out to ruin Matt Ritchie's weekend.
Friday's games though are also well worth checking out with Artur Boruc really likely to be in the firing line against Germany. He probably will be looking forward to Sunday too when he is likely to be in goal against Matt Ritchie in Scotland's team. I think the Scotland v Poland game will decide much of what happens in Group D with Poland currently leading the table. Scotland need to beat Georgia first but I can see them giving Artur Boruc some problems at the weekend too.

I'd hope that Eunan O'Kane can get on against Gibraltar for the Republic of Ireland on Friday and that could happen if the goals start flying in and Martin O'Neill wants to rest players for the Georgia match on Sunday.
With two AFCB keepers in action I'm hoping they keep some clean sheets.
That just leaves Adam Federici who will be adding a few air miles by playing down under in World Cup qualifiers against Bangladesh today and then against Tajikistan on Monday. Maybe he has the hardest few days ahead of him - nasty! Good luck to all AFCB players on international duty - come back safely!

Games to look out for
Today
Cyprus v Wales 19.45
Bulgaria v Norway 19.45
Australia v Bangladesh 10.00 (I might just be working!)
Mauritania v south Africa 20.00

Friday
Germany v Poland 19.45
Georgia v Scotland 17.00
Gibraltar v Rep Ireland 19.45

Saturday
Wales v Israel 17.00
Norway v Croatia 17.00

Sunday
Poland v Gibraltar 19.45
Scotland v Germany 19.45
Rep or Ireland v Georgia 19.45

Monday 
Tajikistan v Australia  14.00 (again I'll be at work - sorry Adam!)

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