With the latest international break drawing to a close, we took a look at how the six Millers players who jetted off to represent their nations got on...
Mixed start for Washington and Ferguson in opening qualifiers
Conor Washington and Shane Ferguson were both involved as Northern Ireland began their UEFA EURO 2024 qualifying campaign with victory against San Marino last Thursday.
Washington partnered Bolton Wanderers striker Dion Charles up front, with his fellow-striker helping himself to a brace in a 2-0 win. Ferguson was among the substitutes for Michael O’Neil’s side and replaced Newcastle United’s Jamal Lewis in the 74th minutes.
Washington also played 69 minutes on Sunday but couldn’t prevent his country slipping to their first qualifying defeat of the campaign to Finland in Belfast.
Benjamin Kallman’s 28th minute strike was enough to give the Scandinavian side victory, with the home side left to rue a host of missed opportunities to claim a point. Shane Ferguson was named as a substitute at Windsor Park.
GOAL!
— Ireland Football ⚽️🇮🇪 (@IrelandFootball) March 22, 2023
64' | Chiedozie Ogbene puts us back in the lead with his first touch after excellent work by Mikey Johnston! (3-2)#COYBIG | #WeAreOne | #IRLLAT pic.twitter.com/wrCpkmq8mm
Ogbene shines for Republic of Ireland again
Chiedozie Ogbene warmed up for his nation’s showdown with 2018 World Champions France by netting the winning goal in a thrilling 3-2 friendly victory over Latvia.
Callum O’Dowda of Cardiff City opened the scoring in Dublin, before Evan Ferguson netted his first international goal to double the lead.
The visitors hit back though, with Roberts Uldrikis’ screamer halving the deficit and that paved the way for Arturs Zjuzins to make it 2-2 in first half injury-time.
Ogbene was introduced in the 63rd minute and scored with virtually his first touch when he capitalised on the rebound from Mikey Johnston’s shot to edge Ireland back ahead.
His contribution in this victory earned him a start against the World Cup finalists at Aviva Stadium and Ogbene was in scintillating form, earning himself the Man of the Match award for his scintillating performance against Les Blues.
Unfortunately, they were edged out on the night, with Benjamin Pavard’s stunning second half strike winning it for the visitors.
Johansson earns first call-up to Sweden squad
Viktor Johansson was out with the Sweden squad for the first time having received his maiden call-up to the senior side and he was an unsued substitute as his country fell to a 3-0 defeat in Stockholm thanks to a Romelu Lukaku hat-trick.
He was again named on the bench on Monday, as The Blue and Yellow bounced back from the disappointed against Belgium to thrash Azerbaijan 5-0 on home soil, with Emil Forsberg, Viktor Gyokeres, Jesper Karlsson and Anthony Elanga all on target, while Bahlul Mustafazada put through his own net.
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Bailey earns hometown start in Socceroos homecoming
Bailey Wright jetted off to his native Australia for his nation’s homecoming series against Ecuador and was an unused substitute in the first encounter against the South Americans in Sydney.
Jackson Irvine, Awer Mabil and Garang Kuol were all on target for the Socceroos, who ran out 3-1 winners.
He then started in his hometown Melbourne for his country, in their second game against Ecuador, but despite taking the lead through Brandon Borrello, the visitors turned the game on it’s head to win, with goals from Pervis Estupiñán and Pacho securing a 2-1 win.
More international minutes for Leo
Leo Hjelde played the full 90 minutes in Norway U21s 3-0 loss to Netherlands U21s last Saturday. Leo’s Leeds United teammate Crysencio Summerville was on the scoresheet, alongside Elayis Tavşan and Ludovit Reis.
It didn’t get any easier for the youngsters, who visited Portugal just four days and again slipped to a 3-0 defeat, with Hjelde playing 83 minutes. They fell behind in the first half to a strike from Afonso Sousa, before second half goals from Marseille’s Vitinha and Andre Almeida of Valencia made the win safe.