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Nikola Katic scores in draw for Bosnia and Herzegovina
Schalke’s trio of senior internationals recorded varying degrees of success in their most recent fixtures with their nations. For Moussa Sylla and Mali, their dream of World Cup qualification is no longer possible.
Until shortly before the final whistle, it seemed as if it was going to be the perfect evening for Nikola Katic on Thursday (9th October). The S04 centre-back had given Bosnia and Herzegovina an early lead himself with a tap-in (10’) before Cyprus goalkeeper Neofytos Michael’s own goal made it 2-0 for the visitors (36’). However, the World Cup qualifying Group H match which took place just a few hours before Katic’s 29th birthday ended in a 2-2 draw. Kostas Laifis pulled one back in stoppage time at the end of the first half while Cyprus then rescued a point at the death from the penalty spot (90’+6).
Bosnia and Herzegovina remain second in their group, two points behind but with one game in hand on leaders Austria. The fixture with Cyrpus was head coach Sergej Barbarez’s team’s solitary qualifier during this international period, but Katic and his nation will play a friendly against Malta on Sunday (12th October), which kicks off at 19:00 CEST.
Mali miss out on a ticket to the World Cup
Moussa Sylla and Mali travelled to Chad for their Group I World Cup qualifying fixture. After beginning the day bottom of the pile and without a win to their name, a brace from Kamory Doumbia (7’,74’) sealed a 2-0 victory; however, Schalke’s forward did not feature. Nevertheless, due to second-placed Madagascar winning 2-1 against Comoros, Mali’s dream of reaching the World Cup is over, since they now sit in third but with a four-point gap to make up and only once game remaining. In actuality, Sylla and co. host Madagascar on Sunday (12th October) at 21:00 CEST).
U20 fall to defeat late on
Vitalie Becker and the Germany U20s suffered a 2-1 loss at the hands of Portugal after head coach Hannes Wolf named the Schalke home-grown talent in his side’s starting line-up. The defeat followed a pair of wins during September’s international window, with the young Germans seeing off both Switzerland and Italy. Joao Rego put the hosts ahead (8’) before Max Moerstedt soon equalised (21’). Keyan Varela bagged the winner for Portugal shortly before the end (85’).
Germany will have the chance for almost immediate revenge when the sides face off once again at the same ground on Monday (13th October). Kick-off is scheduled for 16:00 CEST.
