Burnden Aces

Globe Trotters: Heavy Defeat for Bolton Pair

• November 19, 2023 | By Chris Mann
• Short URL: http://b-ac.es/1a535

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• Carlos Mendes Gomes, Conor Carty, Dion Charles, Eoin Toal, Guinea-Bissau, Josh Sheehan, Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland U21, Wales, Wales U21, Zac Ashworth
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Dion Charles and Eoin Toal were involved as Northern Ireland suffered their worst qualification defeat for 18 years on Friday - losing 4-0 in Finland.

The Wanderers duo, who have forced their way into Michael O'Neill's starting plans in recent months, were part of a side which conceded four goals without reply in a major qualifier for the first time since losing 4-0 to England in March 2005.

Joel Pohjanpalo, Daniel Hakans, Teemu Pukki and Robin Lod were on target for the Finns, while the Northern Irish, who finish their campaign at home to group leaders Denmark on Monday, continue to languish near the foot of the table - ahead of San Marino.

Elsewhere, Carlos Mendes Gomes was an unused substitute as Guinea-Bissau drew 1-1 with Burkina Faso in a CAF World Cup qualifier.

The Wanderers forward will get another chance to make his international debut on Monday, when his nation faces another away outing in Djibouti.

Josh Sheehan found himself in a similar position as Wales' hopes of qualifying for next summer's European Championships took a major blow, with Rob Page's side drawing 1-1 in Armenia.

Sheehan failed to make it off the substitutes' bench in Yerevan, where only an own-goal from Nayair Tiknizyan rescued a point for the Dragons.

In under-21 action, neither Conor Carty nor Zac Ashworth made the squads for Republic of Ireland U21 and Wales U21, respectively.

Carty will hope to be involved when the Republic host Italy U21 on Tuesday, while Ashworth, who has been struggling with a calf strain for the past month, may be involved when Wales U21 host Denmark U21 on Monday evening.

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