Once again, it was a mixed bag for the Oxford United players that spent the past week or so away on international duty.
A couple of players got themselves on the scoresheet, while others got some valuable minutes with another making his debut.
International Round-Up: Goals, Minutes and Fitness
Regular Minutes
The break began with Idris El Mizouni being called up for Tunisia for the first time since 2019, however the midfielder was an unused substitute in their 3-2 defeat away to Madagascar. Peter Kioso was also an unused substitute as DR Congo suffered a stoppage time goal in defeat against Guinea.
Greg Leigh started Jamaica’s CONCACAF Nations League quarter final clash against USA but was replaced at the break with former U’s player Steve McClaren changing formation.
Marselino Ferdinan played 15 minutes as Indonesia lost 4-0 at home against Japan, before Ciaron Brown played the full 90 as Northern Ireland topped their group with a 2-0 win over Belarus. However, the defender picked up a booking and missed the final game against Luxembourg through suspension.
Dane Scarlett came on in the 68th minute as England U21s played out a goalless draw against Spain, while Mark Harris started for Wales in their game at Turkey, but was subbed off at the break after a head collision with teammate, Joe Rodon.
New Era and Goals for Oxford United Players
Scarlett then started against the Netherlands and netted a diving header inside the opening five minutes of their 1-1 draw, with his second goal in four games for the U21s.
El Mizouni earned his second cap for Tunisia and played 85 minutes in a 1-0 defeat at home against Gambia. The midfielder hasn’t played for the North African country since his debut in 2019.
Leigh was back in action for the second leg against USA but came on with 30 minutes remaining in a thrilling 4-2 defeat. It means Jamaica lost 5-2 on aggregate against Mauricio Pochettino’s side.
Ferdinan started in Indonesia’s World Cup qualifier against Saudi Arabia and netted both goals in their 2-0 win. He scored the opening goal of the game in the first half with a sweet strike before adding another after the restart with a cheeky chip.
Kioso then made his debut for DR Congo in a 2-1 defeat at home to Ethiopia. The right back played the first half before being replaced at the break.
The final game of the break saw Harris make a successive start for Wales. The striker played 65 minutes in a 4-1 win at home against Iceland.
