International Bluebirds | September Round-Up
With the international break drawing to a close, take a look at how our Bluebirds fared for their respective nations…
Ramsey on target for Wales
City midfielder Aaron Ramsey starred in his first international call-up since returning to the Bluebirds.
The Wales captain came on as a 60th minute substitute in Wales’ goalless draw against South Korea at Cardiff City Stadium.
Aaron and his teammates followed up with a 2-0 win over Latvia in UEFA 2024 Qualifying.
The 32-year-old opened the scoring from the penalty spot, after former Bluebird Harry Wilson was felled in the area.
Wales Results:
Wales 0-0 South Korea, Cardiff City Stadium, Cardiff.
Latvia 0-2 Wales, Skonto Stadions, Riga.
Productive window for Colwill brothers
Cardiff City quartet Rubin Colwill, Joel Colwill, Eli King and Cian Ashford were all selected by Wales’ U21 side this month.
Facing Liechtenstein in a friendly at Newport County’s Rodney Parade, both Colwill brothers started, with Rubin netting a fine brace to continue his positive form.
In the second match of the international window, Matt Jones’ side earned their first win of the UEFA EURO U21 qualification campaign, defeating Lithuania 3-2.
Wales U21 Results:
Wales U21 4-0 Liechtenstein U21, Rodney Parade, Newport.
Lithuania U21 2-3 Wales U21, Jonava City Stadium, Jonava.
Mixed window for Manolis
Erol Bulut's summer recruit Manolis Siopis was selected by Greece for their UEFA EURO 2024 qualifying matches against the Netherlands and Gibraltar.
Starting in the first match against the Netherlands, Siopis and his teammates fell to a 3-0 defeat.
The City midfielder was not involved in the second match against Gibraltar, but his side bounced back with a convincing 5-0 victory.
Greece Results:
Netherlands 3-0 Greece, Phillips Stadion, Eindhoven.
Greece 5-0 Gibraltar, AEK Stadium, Athens.
Rúnarsson represents Iceland
Goalkeeper Alex Rúnarsson, on loan at City from Premier League outfit Arsenal, featured in both of Iceland’s UEFA EURO 2024 qualifying matches against Luxembourg and Bosnia & Herzegovina.
The City shot-stopper’s side were beaten 3-1 by Luxembourg after being reduced to 10 men through Hörður Björgvin Magnússon’s red card.
In the second match of the international window, the Bluebirds goalkeeper kept a clean sheet in a dramatic 1-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina, with striker Alfreð Finnbogason netting a last-minute winner.
Iceland Results:
Luxembourg 3-1 Iceland, Luxembourg Stadium, Luxembourg City.
Iceland 1-0 Bosnia and Herzegovina, Laugardalsvöllur, Reykjavík.
Collins returns to Nigeria squad
After missing the majority of last season through injury, City defender Jamilu Collins was included in the Nigeria squad this month for the first time since January 2022.
The side had already qualified for the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations, but ended their qualification campaign in style.
The Super Eagles recorded a convincing 6-0 win over São Tomé & Príncipe, with Collins an unused substitute.
Nigeria Result:
Nigeria 6-0 São Tomé & Príncipe, Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo.
Adams achieves AFCON qualification
Gambian midfielder Ebou Adams had a successful international window, securing qualification for the Africa Cup of Nations.
Needing just a point in their final game against Congo, the side went 2-0 down in the first-half.
However, two late goals from Yankuba Minteh and Muhammed Badamosi ensured qualification in dramatic fashion.
Gambia Result:
Gambia 2-2 Congo, Stade de Marrakech, Marrakesh.
