Zieler und Pocognoli watch victory from the bench

Ron-Robert Zieler watched on as Germany won comfortably (3-0) on Friday night against Kazakhstan, taking another big step towards World Cup qualification. The other ‘Reds’ followed suit as Sebastian Pocognoli, selected for the Belgium squad for the first time in two years, watched on as Belgium secured their lead at the top of Group A with a 2-0 win over Macedonia.

Disappointing for Abdellaoue – Djourou injured

‘Moa’ Abdellaoue suffered a disappointment though. The 96-striker, who played the whole game, was part of a team that just couldn’t get past the Albanian defence. In the end, the Norwegians suffered a 1-0 defeat that leaves them in fourth spot in Group E. Norway’s defeat was not something Switzerland and Johan Djourou could take advantage of though. The central defender clashed heads in the 52nd minute and had to be substituted as Switzerland could only manage a goalless draw with Cyprus. The result does leave the Swiss top of Group E though.

Chahed and Haggui enjoy international return

In the CAF World Cup qualifiers, Sofian Chahed and Karim Haggui played 90 minutes for Tunisia and celebrated a 2-1 win against Sierra Leone. Former 96-player and now Tunisia manager Nabil Maaloul, has guided his nation to a spot at the top of the group. Didier Ya Konan was brought on in the 67th minute for Ivory Coast in their 3-0 win against Gambia. Reds striker Mame Diouf was brought on shortly before the end of Senegal’s 1-1 draw with Angola. Both Ivory Coast and Senegal lead their respective groups.

Radlinger sent off

Samuel Radlinger had an unfortunate evening for Austria’s U21 side against Slovakia. In the 1-0 win, the goalkeeper was sent off in the 54th minute for a professional foul. Andre Hoffmann played ninety minutes as centre back for Germany’s U20 against Switzerland in a 2-1 win.