INTERNATIONAL ROUND-UP

Eleven players involved for their nations on Wednesday

Cardiff City had eleven representatives across Europe on Wednesday night as a host of City players travelled to represent their respective nations.

Right here at Cardiff City Stadium, Aron Gunnarsson captained visitors Iceland although it was to be a disappointing evening for Gunnar at least as Wales ran out impressive 3-1 winners over Lars Lagerbäck’s side – Gareth Bale was once again the star of the show, picking up two assists before netting himself to complete the scoring for Chris Coleman’s side.



Across in mainland Europe, Cardiff City goalkeeper David Marshall had plenty to celebrate on his 29th birthday as the Scot started and finished the full 90 minutes of Scotland’s excellent 1-0 win over Poland in Warsaw. In a tight affair Scott Brown netted the winner in the second half for the Scots, with City’s number one also sure to be pleased with the clean sheet in his eleventh cap for his country.

If European qualification preparations are the main aim for Scotland and Wales, Gary Medel and Chile have more immediate preparations ahead as they look to the summer and the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.



In perhaps the sternest test you could hope for ahead of the World Cup, Gary Medel was named as captain for Chile as they took on tournament favourites Germany in Stuttgart. In a tight game, a 16th minute strike from Bayern Munich’s Mario Götze was enough to earn a 1-0 win as Medel played the full 90 minutes at the heart of La Roja defence.

Across the eastern border into the Czech Republic, Mats Møller Dæhli put in a man of the match performance in Norway’s 2-2 draw with the Czech’s in Prague. In an entertaining match there was no separating the sides as goals from Arsenal’s Tomáš Rosický and West Bromwich Albion’s Matěj Vydra for the Czech Republic were equalled by Tarik Elyounoussi and Morten Gamst Pedersen goals for Norway.

City’s Jo Inge Berget also impressed for Norway Under-23’s in Prague who likewise took on the Czech Republic in a warm-up for the senior fixture on Wednesday night. Berget scored twice to secure a 2-1 win for the young Norwegians.

Fresh from securing a 50th appearance for the Bluebirds against Tottenham Hotspur last Sunday, Kim Bo Kyung came on as a 73rd minute substitute for South Korea. They enjoyed an excellent evening in Athens with a 2-0 win over the Greeks.

Back on home soil Declan John and Tommy O’Sullivan both featured for Geraint Williams’ Wales Under-21s against England at Derby County’s iPro Stadium.

A Nathan Redmond goal for the Three Lions was enough to separate the sides on the night as John played the full 90 minutes for Wales, O’Sullivan also impressing before being substituted after the hour mark. Wilfried Zaha was an unused substitute for England.

Finally, Steven Caulker was named on the bench for England and Wembley but was an unused substitute as Roy Hodgson’s side claimed a 1-0 win over Denmark.

WATCH REACTION TO WALES' 3-1 VICTORY OVER ICELAND ON FA WALES YOUTUBE, BELOWCOURTESY OF @TINYWELSHMEDIA