Several Wolves stars are in World Cup qualification with their countries this week, and it’s been a positive start to the international break for many of them.
Jean-Ricner Bellegarde and Jackson Tchatchoua have experienced victories, while Ladislav Krejci earned a point with Czech Republic.
With several other Wolves players set for international action over the coming days, wolves.co.uk rounds-up all the action featuring Vitor Pereira’s squad so far this week.
Jean-Ricner Bellegarde | Nicaragua 0-3 Haiti
In a tight race for a place at next summer’s World Cup, Bellegarde and Haiti have maintained their place at the top of CONCACAF qualification Group C thanks to a 3-0 win over Nicaragua in the early hours of Friday morning. Starting in the centre of a four-man midfield, Bellegarde helped his country to a two goal lead ahead of half-time as he claimed an assist to Danley Jean Jacques. Haiti more than saw out the second half to claim a second third round victory, with a crucial clash against Honduras, who are tied on points at the top of Group C, coming up on Tuesday morning (1am).
Jackson Tchatchoua | Mauritius 0-2 Cameroon
Another Wolves player who enjoyed a whole 90 minutes for his country was Tchatchoua, who followed up an unused substitute appearance in October with a starring role at right-back for Cameroon as Bryan Mbeumo’s strike helped secure a comfortable 2-0 win over Mauritius. The result leaves Cameroon just two points behind Cape Verde at the top of CAF qualification Group D with one match remaining. A point against Angola on Monday evening (5pm) will guarantee a play-off spot, but a win could secure Cameroon’s place at the World Cup.
Ladislav Krejci | Czech Republic 0-0 Croatia
Over in European qualification for the World Cup, Krejci was once again at the heart of the Czech Republic’s defence for their Group L clash against Croatia on Thursday evening. The defender was able to replicate his club form onto the international stage with another steadfast performance to help his country keep a clean sheet and earn a point which keeps them joint top of the group with Croatia, as both teams have 13 points after five matches. Krejci and Czechia now head to the Faroe Islands on Sunday evening (5pm) as they look to continue their unbeaten start to qualification.
Elsewhere
There was chance for three Wolves players to share a pitch in Seoul as South Korea hosted Brazil in a friendly, but ultimately, it was only Andre who found time on the pitch as his country claimed a 5-0 victory. The midfielder came off the bench with just over 10 minutes remaining in the game, while Hee Chan Hwang and Joao Gomes were unused substitutes. The trio will hope to feature in their countries second friendlies next week, with Brazil due to take on Japan on Tuesday at 11.30am and South Korea host Paraguay half an hour later at 12pm.
After his red card in Paraguay’s 0-0 draw against South Korea at the U20 World Cup, Enso Gonzalez remained missing from his country’s last 16 clash with Norway, as Paraguay fell to a 1-0 loss in extra time. This signalled the end of Gonzalez’s month away with his country, and he will now return to Compton Park.
Coming up
With his country’s place at next year’s World Cup already secured, Santiago Bueno and Uruguay are taking on the Dominican Republic from 1.45pm today in a friendly. Fer Lopez could also be back with Spain’s under-21s at 8pm as his side host Norway.
While in today’s qualification action, Emmanuel Agbadou and Ivory Coast travel to Seychelles at 2pm, Marshall Munetsi and Tawanda Chirewa are with Zimbabwe for their game with South Africa (5pm) and Tolu Arokodare will take on Lesotho with Nigeria from 5pm.
Saturday sees Jorgen Strand Larsen and David Moller Wolfe’s Norway and Jose Sa’s Portugal in qualification action, with Norway facing Isreal at 5pm, and Portugal host Republic of Ireland at 7.45pm, while Sunday begins early as Yerson Mosquera and Colombia travel to Mexico for a friendly at 2am.
