Sunday 4 September 2011

International Round-Up: 3rd & 4th September

Four Everton players have represented their countries in the past two days.

I'll start the round-up with a match that took place in the early hours of Saturday morning. Tim Howard played in goal for the USA as they went down 0-1 to Costa Rica. Former Everton loanee Landon Donovan also featured and both players will hope to play again on Tuesday in the USA's friendly with Marouane Fellaini's Belgium.

Shkodran Mustafi won his second cap for the Germany U20 side today as they won 2-1 in Switzerland thanks to goals from Pelle Jensen and Julian Weissmeier. Everton defender Mustafi has only just been promoted to the U20 side after representing his country at various other youth levels.

Everton duo Joseph Yobo and Victor Anichebe both featured for Nigeria in the Super Eagles' 0-2 win in Madagascar - but had contrasting afternoons. Defender Yobo opened the scoring after 68 minutes prior to Obinna Nsofor's late strike, but Anichebe picked up a groin injury in the final moments of the match and is though to be out for 2-3 weeks.

Anichebe, who is expected to fly back to England tonight, had had a very good game according to his international manager, Samson Siasia: "It is very sad for him. He was huge for us today, he did all the right things, played well but unfortunately picked up an injury in the last three minutes.

"But that's football. It's very unfortunate, but I hope he gets well soon so he can continue to feature for his club. That pitch was not very good and we are lucky our players did not get serious injuries.

"Hopefully, Anichebe will be fine after getting some medical attention. Our thoughts will be with him."

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